Veterans who were exposed to burn pits during military service may qualify for tax-free monthly disability compensation under the PACT Act of 2022. As of 2026, the VA recognizes more than 330 cancer types and dozens of respiratory conditions as presumptive, meaning you do not need to prove a direct link between your exposure and your current diagnosis. Monthly payments range from $180.42 at a 10% rating to $3,938.58 at 100%, and back pay from your effective date can add thousands more. This guide covers who qualifies, what conditions are covered, what the monthly rates look like, and exactly how to file.
What the PACT Act Changed for Burn Pit Veterans
Before the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson PACT Act was signed in August 2022, veterans with burn pit-related illnesses had to prove their condition was directly caused by service. That standard was difficult and denied claims for years.
The PACT Act replaced that requirement with a presumption of service connection. If you served in a qualifying location during a qualifying time period and you have a diagnosis on the presumptive list, the VA assumes your condition is service-connected. You no longer have to prove causation.
The VA also began reviewing previously denied claims automatically. Veterans whose claims were denied before the PACT Act may have had their cases reconsidered without filing again, though filing a supplemental claim remains the surest path to getting benefits flowing.
Who Qualifies: Service Locations and Time Periods
To be eligible for PACT Act burn pit benefits, you must meet both a service requirement and a medical condition requirement.
Gulf War Era Veterans (August 2, 1990 and after): You must have served on the ground or in the airspace above Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf, or the Red Sea.
Post-9/11 Veterans (September 11, 2001 and after): You must have served on the ground or in the airspace above Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, or Yemen.
Service in these areas during the listed periods creates a presumption that you were exposed to airborne hazards from open-air burn pits, jet fuel, and other toxic materials.
Presumptive Conditions Covered in 2026
The VA now recognizes more than 330 specific cancer subtypes and several non-cancer conditions as presumptive under the PACT Act. The categories include:
Cancers
| Cancer Category | Examples |
|---|
| Head and neck cancers | Throat, larynx, sinuses, salivary glands |
| Respiratory cancers | Lung, trachea, bronchus |
| Gastrointestinal cancers | Esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, anus |
| Reproductive cancers | Cervical, uterine, prostate, testicular |
| Urinary cancers | Kidney, bladder, ureter (added Jan 2025) |
| Blood and lymph cancers | Leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma (added Jan 2025) |
| Neurological cancers | Brain, spinal cord |
| Other cancers | Melanoma, thyroid, pancreatic, breast |
The VA added bladder cancer and ureter cancer to the presumptive list on January 2, 2025, and added leukemia, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myelofibrosis on January 10, 2025.
Non-Cancer Respiratory Conditions
Veterans with constrictive bronchiolitis, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, or constrictive pericarditis that appeared during or after service in a qualifying location may also qualify as presumptive conditions.
Other Toxic Exposure Conditions
The PACT Act also covers conditions linked to Agent Orange, radiation exposure, and specific contaminated water sites like Camp Lejeune. Gulf War illness, which includes a range of chronic multi-symptom conditions affecting veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War, is separately covered.
2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates
VA disability pay increased 2.8% in December 2025 due to the annual cost-of-living adjustment. Payments are completely tax-free at both the federal and state levels.
Monthly Rates for a Single Veteran (No Dependents)
| Disability Rating | Monthly Payment |
|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Veterans rated at 30% or higher receive additional monthly payments for qualifying dependents, including a spouse, children, and parents. Veterans with a 10% or 20% rating do not receive a higher rate based on dependents.
A veteran rated at 100% with a spouse and two children receives approximately $4,280 per month. Additional dependent allowances vary by rating level.
How to File a Burn Pit VA Disability Claim: Step-by-Step
Step 1: File an Intent to File
Before you submit a complete claim, file an Intent to File (ITF). The ITF locks in your effective date, which determines how far back your back pay goes. Even if it takes you several months to gather evidence and complete your claim, your compensation can be paid back to the ITF date rather than the date you actually submit.
You can file an ITF three ways:
- Start an application at VA.gov. Simply opening the application creates an ITF automatically.
- Call 1-800-827-1000 and tell the representative you want to file an Intent to File.
- Submit VA Form 21-0966 by mail or in person at a VA regional office.
You have one year from your ITF date to submit your completed claim. Missing that window resets your effective date to the date you eventually file.
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
For burn pit presumptive conditions, you do not need to prove the connection between your exposure and your diagnosis. However, you still need documentation showing:
- A current diagnosis of a covered condition from a licensed medical provider
- Your service records showing deployment to a qualifying location during a qualifying time period
- Medical records showing the severity of your condition and how it limits your work and daily life
Helpful supporting evidence includes buddy statements from fellow service members who can verify your service location and witnessed your exposure or early symptoms. A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) completed by your treating physician is also valuable. DBQs are formatted to match what a VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examiner looks for, which strengthens your claim.
Step 3: Complete VA Form 21-526EZ
VA Form 21-526EZ is the Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. The version updated in January 2026 is the current form. You can file:
- Online at VA.gov (fastest processing)
- By mail to the VA Claims Intake Center
- In person at a VA regional office
- Through an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative
On the form, list every condition you are claiming. Each condition gets its own disability rating, and the VA combines multiple ratings using a formula to arrive at a combined rating. Listing all of your conditions from the start prevents the need for future supplemental claims.
Step 4: Attend Your C&P Examination
After you file, the VA will likely schedule a Compensation and Pension examination with a VA or contract examiner. The examiner reviews your medical evidence and assesses the current severity of your condition.
Attend this appointment. Missing a C&P exam can result in a denial. During the exam, describe your worst days rather than your best. The examiner is assessing how your condition affects your life and functioning, so be thorough and specific.
Step 5: Receive Your Rating Decision
Average processing time for an initial VA disability claim in 2026 is roughly 3 to 6 months. After the VA issues a rating decision, you have one year to appeal if you disagree. Your three options for appeal are:
- Supplemental Claim: Submit new evidence not previously considered.
- Higher-Level Review: Request a more senior claims adjudicator review your file without submitting new evidence.
- Board of Veterans Appeals: Request a hearing or review before a Veterans Law Judge.
Previously Denied Claims: What to Do Now
If the VA denied your claim before the PACT Act, you may be eligible to file a supplemental claim with new evidence. The PACT Act changed the legal standard, which can count as new and material evidence to support reopening a prior denial.
The VA was required to automatically review certain denied claims for Gulf War veterans, but the review process has been inconsistent. Filing a supplemental claim yourself is the most reliable way to ensure your case gets reconsidered under the updated rules.
Getting Help with Your Claim
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) provide free claims assistance. Accredited VSO representatives can help you gather evidence, complete forms, and navigate the appeals process. Major VSOs include the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, and AMVETS.
The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) operates a dedicated Burn Pits Claims Assistance Program that provides free legal help to veterans filing burn pit-related disability claims.
Accredited VA attorneys and claims agents can also assist, often working on a contingency fee basis that the VA approves. They cannot charge upfront fees for VA disability work.
Use the Benefits Navigator screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check what federal benefits programs you may qualify for based on your situation, including VA disability, SNAP, Medicare, and other programs for veterans and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a burn pit and why is it harmful?
Burn pits were open-air areas used by the U.S. military to dispose of waste at bases and forward operating positions, primarily in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Southwest Asia locations. They burned a wide range of materials including chemicals, medical waste, plastics, metals, and human waste. Veterans and researchers have linked burn pit exposure to respiratory problems, cancers, and other chronic illnesses.
Do I need proof of burn pit exposure to file a claim?
No. If you served in a qualifying location during a qualifying time period, the VA presumes you were exposed. You do not need to produce unit records, deployment records to a specific base, or documentation that a burn pit existed near you. Your service records showing deployment to a covered country and your medical diagnosis are the key pieces of evidence.
What if I have multiple conditions from burn pit exposure?
File a claim for every condition. The VA rates each condition separately and then combines them using its combined ratings formula. More conditions generally result in a higher combined rating and more monthly compensation. There is no disadvantage to listing all of your service-connected conditions on a single claim.
Can I still file if I was discharged years ago?
Yes. There is no deadline to file a VA disability claim based on burn pit exposure. However, your effective date is generally the date you file (or the date of your Intent to File if you file within one year). The earlier you file, the earlier your effective date and the larger your potential back pay.
Are dependents included in VA disability pay?
Veterans with a combined rating of 30% or higher receive additional monthly pay for qualifying dependents including a spouse, children under 18, and children in school up to age 23. A surviving spouse may also receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if a veteran dies from a service-connected condition, including those covered by the PACT Act.
What happens if my cancer goes into remission?
The VA rates active cancers requiring treatment at a minimum of 100%. Once a cancer goes into remission, the VA may schedule a re-examination and adjust the rating based on residual effects, recurrence risk, or other remaining conditions. You should still report the change in status but continue to receive compensation for any lasting effects. Some conditions maintain elevated ratings after treatment.
Can family members of deceased veterans file a claim?
Yes. Survivors of veterans who died from a PACT Act-covered condition may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. The PACT Act also extended DIC eligibility to survivors in some cases where the veteran's death was caused by a covered toxic exposure condition. File VA Form 21P-534EZ to apply for survivor benefits.
Where do I file a supplemental claim if my burn pit claim was previously denied?
File VA Form 20-0995 (Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim) and attach evidence that was not previously submitted. The change in law under the PACT Act itself, combined with your current medical diagnosis, can satisfy the new and material evidence requirement. A VSO or accredited claims agent can help you put together the strongest possible supplemental claim.
