PACT Act Benefits Calculator —
Check Your 2026 Eligibility
The PACT Act added presumptive benefits for 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, contaminated water, and radiation. Many eligible veterans have not yet filed.
PACT Act Coverage Categories — Which Applies to You?
Check each category against your service history. If any match, you may have a presumptive claim — meaning you do not need to prove medical causation, only that you served in the covered location with a covered condition.
Burn Pit & Airborne Hazard Exposure
Who qualifies: Served in Southwest Asia (Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Uzbekistan) or other areas with open burn pit exposure.
- › Constrictive bronchiolitis
- › Obliterative bronchiolitis
- › Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
- › Constrictive pericarditis
- › Any respiratory condition
- › Any gastrointestinal condition
- › Any reproductive condition
- › Any neurological condition
Agent Orange Exposure
Who qualifies: Served in the Republic of Vietnam, Korean DMZ (1968–1971), Thailand (perimeter duty), or aboard C-123 aircraft used to spray Agent Orange.
- › Bladder cancer
- › Hypothyroidism
- › Parkinsonism
- › Hypertension
- › MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy)
- › All previous Agent Orange cancers
- › Ischemic heart disease
- › Type 2 diabetes
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
Who qualifies: Resided or served at USMC Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station New River for 30+ days during the covered period. Includes veterans AND their family members.
- › Bladder cancer
- › Kidney cancer
- › Liver cancer
- › Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- › Multiple myeloma
- › Parkinson's disease
- › Aplastic anemia
- › Myelodysplastic syndromes
Radiation Exposure
Who qualifies: Participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons testing, occupied Hiroshima or Nagasaki following WWII, served at Enewetak Atoll cleanup, or served at other radiation risk activities.
- › All cancers (radiogenic)
- › Leukemia (except CLL)
- › Thyroid cancer
- › Breast cancer
- › Lung cancer
- › Bone cancer
- › Multiple myeloma
- › Liver cancer
Estimated Monthly Benefits by PACT Act Condition
Ratings assigned at the time of C&P examination based on current severity. Cancer diagnoses typically receive 100% during active treatment.
Quick Eligibility Check
Answer 3 quick questions to determine which PACT Act categories may apply to your service history.
PACT Act Benefits — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for PACT Act benefits?
PACT Act eligibility depends on three factors: (1) Service during a covered era — post-9/11, Vietnam, Cold War, or specific time periods; (2) Service at a covered location — Southwest Asia, Republic of Vietnam, Camp Lejeune, nuclear testing sites; (3) Current diagnosis of a covered condition — respiratory illness, cancer, Parkinson's, or other qualifying diagnoses. If all three apply, you likely have a presumptive claim and should file immediately.
Do I need to prove my burn pit exposure was the cause of my illness?
No. That is the most significant change under the PACT Act. Previously, veterans had to prove medical causation — that their specific illness was caused by their specific exposure. Under the PACT Act, the VA presumes that qualifying conditions in veterans with qualifying service are related to toxic exposure. You need to document your service location and have a current diagnosis — the VA will no longer require proof of causation.
My Camp Lejeune claim was denied years ago. Can I re-file?
Yes. Under the PACT Act, previously denied Camp Lejeune claims for covered conditions can be re-filed as Supplemental Claims. The VA is required to re-adjudicate under the new presumptive rules. If granted, your effective date may be calculated from your original claim filing date — potentially meaning significant retroactive pay. File as soon as possible to establish the earliest effective date.
Can surviving family members get PACT Act benefits?
Yes. Survivors of veterans who died from PACT Act-covered conditions can file Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims. Additionally, family members who resided at Camp Lejeune during the covered period have separate claim rights for their own health conditions. The PACT Act also established a new Toxic Exposure Research Program and expanded survivor benefits under the Survivors Pension program.
What if I have multiple PACT Act conditions?
Each PACT Act condition is rated independently and combined using the VA's combined ratings formula. A veteran with a respiratory condition at 30%, hypertension at 10%, and hypothyroidism at 10% would have a combined rating higher than any single condition. Filing for all qualifying conditions — not just the most obvious one — maximizes the combined rating and monthly benefit.
Get Your Free PACT Act Eligibility Review
Tell us where you served and what conditions you have. A specialist will identify your PACT Act eligibility and claim strategy within 24 hours.
Don't Leave PACT Act Benefits on the Table
Free review. No obligation. A Forged VA specialist will evaluate your toxic exposure history and identify every PACT Act claim you qualify for.
Request My Free PACT Act Analysis
A specialist reviews your service locations, diagnoses, and prior claim history to build your strongest PACT Act claim strategy.