What a "presumption" does
For presumptive conditions, VA assumes your service caused the condition if you served in a qualifying location and period. You don't need a medical opinion linking the two, which removes the hardest part of many claims.
Who the PACT Act covers
| Exposure group | Examples of qualifying service |
|---|---|
| Burn pits & other airborne hazards | Gulf War and post-9/11 service in locations VA lists, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Djibouti, and others, during specified dates |
| Agent Orange | Vietnam, plus locations the PACT Act added: Thailand (any U.S. or Royal Thai base), Laos, certain provinces of Cambodia, Guam/American Samoa and territorial waters, and Johnston Atoll, during specified dates |
| Gulf War illness | Southwest Asia theater service, covering medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses |
| Camp Lejeune | At least 30 days at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 |
| Radiation | Certain cleanup and test-site missions added by the PACT Act |
Presumptive conditions include many cancers and respiratory illnesses for burn pit exposure, and hypertension and MGUS (added for Agent Orange). The full lists, dates, and locations are long and specific. Check VA's PACT Act page or let us check them against your service record.
Previously denied?
If VA denied a condition that's now presumptive, you can file a Supplemental Claim. VA has also said it will review some previously denied claims on its own. Don't wait on that.
We'll check your service dates and locations against VA's current presumptives.
Official sources
VA: PACT Act · VA: Burn pit presumptives · VA: Agent Orange · Federal Register: PFAS assessment (Dec. 2025)
This page is general information, not legal advice, and VA rules change. Last reviewed October 2026.