If you served after August 2, 1990, you may qualify for expanded VA healthcare and benefits under the PACT Act — even if you’ve been denied before. Here’s what you need to know.
Burn pits. If you deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else the military operated after 1990, you almost certainly know what they are. Open-air trash fires — sometimes the size of football fields — burning around the clock: jet fuel, chemicals, medical waste, ammunition, human waste. You were ordered to work near them. You breathed that smoke every single day.
For years, veterans came home with unexplained respiratory illness, rare cancers, neurological symptoms, and chronic pain — and the VA turned them away. The connection to burn pit exposure wasn’t formally recognized. Claims were denied. Veterans were told their conditions were “not service-connected.”
That changed in August 2022 when President Biden signed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act into law. It is the largest expansion of veteran healthcare and benefits in decades. And four years later, tens of thousands of veterans who qualify still haven’t filed a claim.
What the PACT Act Actually Does
The PACT Act doesn’t just tweak existing policy — it fundamentally changes how the VA evaluates toxic exposure claims. Before the law, veterans had to prove their illness was directly caused by burn pit exposure. That was nearly impossible. Now, the VA is required to presume that certain conditions are service-connected for veterans who served in qualifying locations and time periods.
That word — “presumptive” — matters enormously. It means the burden of proof has shifted. You no longer have to build an airtight medical case from scratch. If you served in a covered location and have a covered condition, the VA must presume it’s related to your service.
The law covers more than 20 burn-pit and toxic-exposure related conditions, including cancers of the head, neck, respiratory tract, reproductive system, and more. It also expands eligibility for veterans exposed to Agent Orange, radiation, and other hazardous materials in earlier eras.
Who Qualifies
You may be eligible for expanded benefits under the PACT Act if you:
- Served on active duty, in the National Guard, or as a reservist after August 2, 1990 (Gulf War era and later)
- Were stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, or the Southwest Asia theater of operations
- Were exposed to open burn pits, airborne hazards, or other toxic substances during service
- Have been diagnosed with a respiratory condition, cancer, or other illness that may be related to that exposure
Veterans who were previously denied claims based on lack of service connection may now be eligible to reopen those claims. This is critical: a past denial is not the end of the road.
Why So Many Veterans Haven’t Filed
The gap between who qualifies and who has filed is large — and the reasons are familiar to anyone who works with veterans.
Some veterans don’t know the law exists. Others were denied before and gave up on the process entirely. Many don’t connect their current health problems to their service — especially when symptoms took years to develop. And the VA system itself remains intimidating: confusing paperwork, long wait times, and a history of denials that makes the whole process feel not worth the effort.
Add to that the culture of self-reliance and stoicism in the military community, and you have veterans quietly managing serious health conditions without the support they’ve earned.
What to Do Right Now
If any of this applies to you — or to a veteran in your life — here are the concrete next steps:
1. File a PACT Act claim. Go to VA.gov or call 1-800-698-2411 to start the process. You can also visit your nearest VA regional office. If you don’t know where to start, a VA-accredited claims agent or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help you navigate at no cost.
2. If you were denied before, reopen your claim. Past denial is not a permanent answer under the new law. File a Supplemental Claim and reference the PACT Act directly.
3. Register your exposure even if you don’t have symptoms yet. The VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry documents your exposure history. If a condition develops later, having this on record makes the claims process significantly easier.
4. Tell another veteran. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways this information spreads. If you know a veteran who deployed after 1990 and has unexplained health issues, share this with them. The window to file is open — but the people who need it most may not know that.
At Boots to Health Foundation, we believe veterans shouldn’t have to fight for what they’ve already earned. If you’re navigating a VA claim, dealing with burn pit-related health issues, or just trying to figure out where to start — reach out to us. We’ll connect you with the right resources and walk alongside you in the process.
VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000 · va.gov/pact-act
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