Presumptive Conditions Index

Overview

A presumption can remove the need to prove that service caused a listed condition when you meet the applicable service requirements. It does not mean every exposure or diagnosis automatically qualifies for benefits.

From one veteran to another: Start with your diagnosis and where and when you served. Compare those details with VA's current rules, then gather the records that support your claim.

See VA's explanation of presumptive conditions. The condition lists below are legacy reference material pending a full condition-by-condition review; use the official rules to check your circumstances.

Key Eligibility Requirements

• Veteran's character of discharge must permit filing a disability claim
• Veteran must meet specific service period, location, or timeframe requirements
• Veteran must have a diagnosed condition, disease, or disability
• Veterans outside listed timeframes may still qualify through standard service-connection processes

Important Distinction

A presumption of exposure and a presumption that a condition is service-connected are separate questions. Check both the qualifying service rules and the rules for your diagnosed condition. Health care enrollment and disability compensation also have different requirements.

Presumptive Condition Categories

Chemical & Environmental Exposures

Geographic & Service-Based

Injury & Disease-Related

Time-Based Conditions

Other service-connection questions

Ask an accredited representative which rule supports a claimed relationship between conditions. The previous “quasi-presumptive” list did not identify specific authority and should not be treated as an eligibility rule.

Supporting Factors (Non-Legally Presumptive but Helpful)

• Combat veteran status
• Noise exposure documentation
• Skill badge attainment

Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions

Veterans who served in Vietnam, Korea DMZ, Thailand military bases, or other designated areas are presumed exposed. Conditions include:

• AL Amyloidosis
• Bladder Cancer
• Chronic B-cell Leukemias
• Chloracne
• Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
• Hodgkin's Disease
• Hypertension
• Hypothyroidism
• Ischemic Heart Disease
• Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)
• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Parkinsonism
• Parkinson's Disease
• Peripheral Neuropathy (early-onset)
• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
• Prostate Cancer
• Respiratory Cancers
• Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Burn Pit/PACT Act Presumptive Conditions

Veterans who served in Southwest Asia, Afghanistan, or other designated areas are covered for:

Respiratory Conditions: - Asthma - Chronic Bronchitis - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - Constrictive Bronchiolitis - Interstitial Lung Disease - Pleuritis - Pulmonary Fibrosis - Sarcoidosis - Chronic Sinusitis - Chronic Rhinitis

Cancers: - Brain Cancer - Gastrointestinal Cancer of any type - Head Cancer (of any type) - Kidney Cancer - Lymphatic Cancer of any type - Lymphoma of any type - Melanoma - Neck Cancer (of any type) - Pancreatic Cancer - Reproductive Cancer (of any type) - Respiratory Cancer (of any type)

Added June 2024: - Male Breast Cancer - Urethral Cancer - Paraurethral Gland Cancer

Added January 2025: - Bladder Cancer (toxic exposure) - Ureter Cancer - Acute Leukemias (all types) - Chronic Leukemias (all types) - Multiple Myeloma (toxic exposure) - Myelodysplastic Syndromes - Myelofibrosis

Mental Health Presumptive Conditions

Psychosis

• Diagnosed within one year of separation AND warranted at least 10% rating at that time

PTSD, Depression, or Anxiety

• If you were a Prisoner of War (POW) AND condition rated 10%+ at some point

Dementia (Alzheimer's)

• Diagnosed within 15 years after moderate or severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Depression Post-TBI

• Within one year of mild TBI
• Within three years of moderate or severe TBI

Gulf War Illness

Undiagnosed illnesses and medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses for veterans who served in Southwest Asia from August 2, 1990 to present, including:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders
• Undiagnosed illnesses with symptoms including fatigue, muscle/joint pain, headaches, neurological symptoms, sleep disturbances, respiratory symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, and gastrointestinal symptoms

Claim Reopening Under PACT Act

If VA previously denied your claim and a change in law now covers your condition, review the Supplemental Claim option. VA distinguishes a review based on a change in law from the usual new-and-relevant-evidence requirement. You still need to submit or identify medical evidence documenting the diagnosis and severity, and meet the qualifying service requirements.

Follow VA's Supplemental Claim instructions for online filing or VA Form 20-0995. Review your decision letter with an accredited representative when choosing a review route or checking an effective date. This guide does not establish your payment start date or promise backdating.

Resources

Official VA Resources

• PACT Act Overview
• PACT Act Presumptive Conditions
• File a PACT Act Claim
• Burn Pit Registry

Regulatory References

• 38 CFR 3.309 - Presumptive Diseases
• 38 CFR 3.317 - Gulf War Illnesses

Editorial scope: Overview and Supplemental Claim guidance checked against VA pages September 11, 2026. Unsupported blanket PFAS and quasi-presumptive claims removed. The remaining condition-specific lists, dates and thresholds still require individual source review before release.