PACT Act — does my condition qualify?
Served in Iraq with burn pit exposure. Developed lung issues. Heard PACT Act may help. How do I check?
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Served in Iraq with burn pit exposure. Developed lung issues. Heard PACT Act may help. How do I check?
✓ Verified answer from a licensed attorney — shown first
PACT Act (2022) created presumptive service connection for veterans with qualifying exposure in specific locations and time periods. The list of presumptive conditions is broad — many respiratory, cancers, hypertension under specific qualifying criteria. If you have a qualifying deployment AND a listed condition, you don't have to prove the causal connection — VA presumes it. File the claim with full deployment records and your medical diagnosis records. Many veterans denied pre-2022 are eligible for reconsideration under PACT. va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/ has the current list. Free VSO assistance is the fastest path.
VA's PACT Act page (va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/) has a screening tool. County Veteran Service Officers help file claims at no cost.
Around the case
Other things people in your situation usually need to handle. Some are paid partners; some are free community resources — labeled clearly.
VA Vet Centers
Veterans mental health · Free
Federally funded community-based counseling for veterans, service members, and their families. Free; eligibility is generous and not tied to disability rating.
Find a Vet Center →DAV · Disabled American Veterans
VSO benefits help · Free
Free representation for veterans filing VA benefits claims and appeals. National network of accredited service officers.
Find a service officer →Share what helped you. Be kind — and remember this is your experience, not legal advice.
Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.