Burn pits and other airborne hazards (PACT Act)

← Presumptive Condition Checker

Who qualifies

On or after August 2, 1990: Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Somalia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, or the waters of the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden or Gulf of Oman. On or after September 11, 2001: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan or Yemen. The airspace above these places counts.

• Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, or the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia (on or after August 2, 1990)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(A); 38 CFR 3.320(a)(5), 3.320a(c)
• On a ship or aircraft over the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden or Gulf of Oman (on or after August 2, 1990)38 CFR 3.320(a)(6), 3.320a(c)(1); VA.gov
• Somalia (on or after August 2, 1990)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(A); 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(1)(ii)
• Afghanistan (on or after September 11, 2001)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(B); 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)
• Djibouti (on or after September 11, 2001)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(B); 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)
• Uzbekistan (including K2, Karshi-Khanabad Air Base) (on or after September 11, 2001)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(B); 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)
• Syria (on or after September 11, 2001)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(B); 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)
• Egypt (on or after September 11, 2001)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(B); 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)
• Jordan (on or after September 11, 2001)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(B); 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)
• Lebanon (on or after September 11, 2001)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(B); 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)
• Yemen (on or after September 11, 2001)38 U.S.C. 1119(c)(1)(B); 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)

Conditions VA presumes (28)

• Asthma diagnosed after service38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(1); 38 CFR 3.320(a)(2)(i)
• Chronic bronchitisIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(3)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)In the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(4)
• Chronic rhinitis38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(13); 38 CFR 3.320(a)(2)(ii)
• Chronic sinusitis, including rhinosinusitis38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(12); 38 CFR 3.320(a)(2)(iii)
• Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitisIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(5)
• EmphysemaIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(6)
• Granulomatous diseaseIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(7)
• Interstitial lung disease (ILD)In the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(8)
• PleuritisIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(9)
• Pulmonary fibrosisIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(10)
• SarcoidosisIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(11)
• Brain cancer, including glioblastomaIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(H), (b)(14)
• Head cancer of any typeIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updatedVA's examples include cancers of the mouth, tongue, salivary glands, nose and sinuses, and the thyroid.38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(A)
• Neck cancer of any typeIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(B)
• Respiratory cancer of any type38 CFR 3.320(a)(3) lists nine rare cancers of the larynx, trachea and lung. The PACT Act covers respiratory cancer of any type.38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(C); 38 CFR 3.320(a)(3)
• Gastrointestinal cancer of any typeIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(D)
• Pancreatic cancerIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(J)
• Kidney cancerIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(G)
• Bladder cancerAdded January 2, 202538 CFR 3.320a(b)(1)
• Ureter cancerAdded January 2, 202538 CFR 3.320a(b)(2)
• Reproductive cancer of any typeIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updatedVA's examples include breast, prostate, testicular, ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers.38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(E)
• Lymphoma of any typeIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(F)
• MelanomaIn the law; VA's regulation not yet updated38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(I)
• Acute and chronic leukemiasAdded January 10, 202538 CFR 3.320b(b)(1), (2)
• Multiple myeloma, including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)Added January 10, 202538 CFR 3.320b(b)(3)
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)Added January 10, 202538 CFR 3.320b(b)(4)
• MyelofibrosisAdded January 10, 202538 CFR 3.320b(b)(5)

Time limit

There is no time limit. Asthma counts only if it was diagnosed after your service in one of these places.

You'd still need to show

• A current diagnosis of the condition from a doctor or other medical provider.
• Records that show your qualifying service, such as your DD214, orders, or unit or ship records.
• A discharge that isn't dishonorable.

Even when a condition is on a list, VA can still decide it was caused by something else if there is evidence of that (the presumption can be rebutted).

The law: 38 U.S.C. 1119 · 38 U.S.C. 1120 · 38 CFR 3.320 · 38 CFR 3.320a · 38 CFR 3.320b
On VA.gov: Burn pits and other specific environmental hazards · VA's examples of presumptive cancers

Regulation text current as of October 15, 2026. This is general information from a free tool, not legal or medical advice, and not a decision. Only VA decides claims.