Statutory basis: The PACT Act — Pub. L. 117-168, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 — is the underlying statute for every rule on this page.
Two years after full phase-in, PACT Act eligibility is now clean and comprehensive: every veteran who served in a covered location during a covered service period can access PACT-related VA health care and file for PACT-presumptive conditions. This 2026 page captures the current rules.
Covered service periods
Two broad eras, with sub-conflicts:
- Vietnam War era (roughly 1962 to 1975) — Agent Orange presumptive coverage.
- Persian Gulf War / Post-9/11 era (August 2, 1990 to present) — burn pit, particulate matter, and other airborne hazard presumptive coverage.
Within these eras, specific conflict names — Vietnam, Gulf War, OEF/OIF/OND, OIR (Inherent Resolve), Somalia, and specific expansion locations added under PACT — trigger presumptive coverage.
Covered locations
Vietnam era (Agent Orange presumption):
- Republic of Vietnam (in-country service, or brown-water Navy).
- Blue-water Navy expansions — offshore waters extended by Procopio v. Wilkie and codified by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.
- Thailand — service at specific Royal Thai Air Force bases (U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang) when the veteran's duties took them along the base perimeter.
- Laos and Cambodia (added under PACT for veterans who served in specified units).
- Guam and the Johnston Atoll (added under PACT).
Post-9/11 / Gulf War era (burn pit and particulate matter presumption):
- Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman.
- Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen.
- Uzbekistan.
- Somalia (specific service periods).
Presumptive conditions
PACT-presumptive conditions fall into three broad groups: burn pit / particulate matter respiratory illnesses, presumptive cancers (predominantly under burn pit exposure), and Agent Orange–linked chronic illnesses. Each presumption removes the burden of proving causation — the veteran needs only to show the condition and the qualifying service period + location.
The PACT Act presumptive conditions page has the full list.
Toxic-exposure health care
Even veterans who have not filed a claim can access toxic-exposure health care at VA if they served in a covered location during a covered period. Enrollment happens through the standard VA health care application; the "toxic exposure" box is what unlocks PACT-specific screenings and specialty care.
How to check your eligibility
- Confirm your service period and location(s) against the lists above (or the current IRS/VA publications).
- Enroll (or re-enroll) in VA health care using VA Form 10-10EZ, checking the toxic-exposure box.
- If you have a suspected condition, file a claim on VA Form 21-526EZ citing the specific PACT presumption you're invoking.
FAQs
Does PACT cover Korean War veterans?
Not under the Agent Orange presumption (Vietnam era only). Some Korean War veterans qualify under specific herbicide-exposure Q-clauses along the DMZ (1968–1971).
What if I served in an unlisted location but was exposed?
File a claim on the direct-service-connection theory (not presumption). The evidentiary burden is higher, but non-presumptive claims can still succeed.
Is there a filing deadline?
Not under PACT itself, but earlier filing = more retroactive back pay if the claim is granted.
Related
See the PACT Act 2026 tracker, PACT Act explained (evergreen), the presumptive conditions list, and PACT Act appeals process.