PACT Act: Veteran Toxic Exposure Benefits Resources

What is the PACT Act?

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors— with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. The Act (1) expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 era, and (2) expands eligibility for benefits for Veterans exposed to toxic substances

What does the PACT Act Do?

The Act expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic-exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 era.
VA will improve the decision-making process for determining what medical conditions will be considered for presumptive status.
Every enrolled Veteran will receive an initial toxic exposure screening and a follow-up screening at least every five years.
Veterans who are not enrolled, but who are eligible to enroll, will have an opportunity to enroll and receive the screening.
VA health care staff and claims processors will receive toxic exposure-related education and training.
The Act requires research studies on mortality of Veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War, Post-9/11 Veteran health trends, and Veteran cancer rates.
The Act will help VA build a stronger, more skilled workforce to meet the growing demand for benefits and services.
The Act authorizes 31 new facilities across the country, providing greater access to VA health care.

What Is a Toxic Exposure Screening?

Veterans will be asked questions about potential exposure to an open burn pit or other hazards commonly associated with military environmental exposure. This will help VA identify other potential risks for Veterans and inform future policy decisions.

How Can a Veteran Apply For Toxic Exposure Screening?

Apply online at VA.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction
Call the toll-free hotline at (877) 222-8387, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
Mail a completed, signed Application for Health Benefits VA Form 10-10EZ
Bring a completed, signed VA Form 10-10EZ to the nearest VA Medical Center or clinic.

PACT Act’s New Eligibility Criteria

The PACT Act helps advance a top VA priority: getting more Veterans into VA care by expanding eligibility for, and the availability of, health care services for Veterans. The law expands health care eligibility to several groups of Veterans who may not have been eligible before and requires VA to phase in hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any illness to three new categories of Veterans:

CATEGORY 1: Veterans who participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (as defined by law) while serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
CATEGORY 2: Veterans who were assigned to a duty station in (including airspace above) certain locations during specific periods of time:
- On or after August 2, 1990, in: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the United Arab Emirates
- On or after September 11, 2001, in: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, or any other country determined relevant by VA.
CATEGORY 3: Veterans who deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, or Resolute Support Mission

PACT Act Enrollment Timeline

AUGUST 10, 2022: PACT Act signed into law.

October 1, 2022:
Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, Laos,
certain provinces in Cambodia, Guam, or American Samoa (or
their territorial waters), or the Johnston Atoll (or a ship that
called there) during specific time periods may enroll in VA health care.

OCTOBER 1, 2022 - OCTOBER 1, 2023:
Veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat
operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War or
in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities
after 11/11/98, and who were discharged or released between
9/11/01–10/1/13 may enroll in VA health care.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022:
Begin incorporating toxic exposure screening for enrolled Veterans.

OCTOBER 1, 2024:
Phase in enrollment for health care for Veterans identified
in Categories 1 and 2 who were discharged or released
August 2, 1990 - September 11, 2001.

OCTOBER 1, 2026:
Phase in enrollment for health care for Veterans identified
in Categories 1 and 2 who were discharged or released
September 12, 2001 - December 31, 2006.

OCTOBER 1, 2028:
Phase in enrollment for health care for Veterans identified
in Categories 1 and 2 who were discharged or released
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2012.

OCTOBER 1, 2030:
Phase in enrollment for health care for Veterans identified
in Categories 1 and 2 who were discharged or released
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2018.

OCTOBER 1, 2032:
Phase in enrollment for health care for Veterans identified in Category 3.