The PACT Act at Nearly Four Years: What the Numbers Show
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson PACT Act — the largest expansion of VA benefits in decades — is now well into its implementation phase. Here's where things stand as of April 2026.
By the Numbers
- 2.44 million PACT Act-related claims submitted since enactment
- 1.59 million approved — a 75% approval rate
- Average processing time: 81 days (as of late 2025)
- The VA has hired over 2,000 new healthcare providers dedicated to PACT Act cases
- Currently 23 burn pit presumptive conditions are on the approved list
Major Expansion Coming August 2026
Federal law requires the VA to conduct a mandatory fourth anniversary review on August 10, 2026. At that review, the VA is expected to add new presumptive conditions — potentially dozens more.
Conditions currently under active study for addition include:
- Neurological disorders (preliminary data shows 40% higher MS incidence in burn pit-exposed veterans)
- Autoimmune disorders — lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, IBD
- Additional respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
If you have been diagnosed with any of these and served in a covered location, filing a claim now puts you in the queue. Approved claims can be retroactive.
Who Is Covered
The PACT Act covers veterans who served in:
- Post-9/11 conflicts — Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, Yemen, Kyrgyzstan, Somalia
- Vietnam and Korea — exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides
- Any location with documented radiation, chemicals, or toxic hazards
Camp Lejeune: If you or a family member lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987, you may be eligible for VA health care and disability compensation for covered conditions including multiple cancers and Parkinson's disease.
What Are Presumptive Conditions?
A "presumptive condition" means the VA assumes your condition was caused by your service — you don't have to prove the connection. This dramatically simplifies the claims process.
If You Were Previously Denied
If you were denied VA benefits before the PACT Act — or in the early implementation phase — you can appeal or reapply under the current rules. The VA has been reviewing some previously denied claims automatically, but don't wait. File again.
What to Do Now
- File a claim at VA.gov/PACT or through your VSO — even if you're not sure you qualify
- Enroll in VA health care if you haven't already — exposure screening is available at all VA facilities
- Get a toxic exposure screening at your nearest VA medical center
- Watch the August 2026 announcement — if new conditions are added that apply to you, file immediately
Resources
- VA PACT Act page: VA.gov/PACT
- Camp Lejeune: VA.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination
- Burn Pit Registry: VA.gov/exposure
If you were there, you deserve the benefits. File your claim — then watch for the August 2026 expansion.