Skip to Content

The new 2022 Pact Act

PACT Act Expanded VA Care

The PACT Act is a historic new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.

This new law empowers VA to provide generations of Veterans – and their survivors – with the care and benefits they have earned.

Key Components of the PACT Act include:

  • Expands VA health care eligibility for toxic-exposed Veterans and extends enhanced eligibility for Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 combat Veterans
  • Adds more than 20 burn pit and toxic-exposure-related conditions to VA’s service presumption list
  • Improves VA’s 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 5 years. Veterans who are not enrolled, but who meet eligibility requirements, will have an opportunity to enroll and receive the screening
  • VA health care and claims processors will receive toxic exposure-related education and training
  • 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
  • Helps VA build a stronger, more skilled workforce to meet the growing demand for benefits and services
  • Authorizes funding for 31 VA new facilities across the country
     

For more information call 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) or go to www.va.gov/pact

See all stories