Burn pits and other toxic exposures (Gulf War era and post-9/11)
VA publishes a presumption of exposure for veterans who served in listed Middle East, Southwest Asia, Central Asia, and East Africa locations on or after August 2, 1990 (Gulf War era) or on or after September 11, 2001 (post-9/11). VA states: "If you served in any of these locations and time periods, we've determined that you had exposure to burn pits or other toxins. We call this having a presumption of exposure." Where a listed condition is diagnosed in a covered veteran, VA does not require the veteran to prove the medical link between the condition and service. Important: VA publishes at least five different versions of the burn-pit condition list across its own pages, and they do not match. A condition missing from one VA page is not necessarily excluded. Only VA can decide any individual case.
This is VA's published list, not a decision about you. Being on it doesn't mean a claim is approved, and it isn't advice to file. A free accredited representative can look at your actual service and records.
Whose service qualifies
VA's disability eligibility page states three requirements, all of which must be true: "You have a diagnosed illness or other health condition that's caused by exposure to a specific toxic hazard in the air, soil, or water, and / You served on active duty in a location that exposed you to the hazard, and / You didn't receive a dishonorable discharge." The implementing regulation, 38 CFR 3.320a(c), defines a "covered veteran" as one who "performed active military, naval, air, or space service while assigned to a duty station in, including airspace above" a listed location on or after the applicable date. 38 CFR 3.320a(a) adds that exposure is presumed "unless there is affirmative evidence to establish that the veteran was not exposed." The presumption is rebuttable: VA can deny service connection where the disease was not incurred or aggravated in service, was caused by a supervening condition or event, or resulted from the veteran's own willful misconduct (38 CFR 3.320a(d), 3.320b(c)). No VA page or regulation consulted states how Reserve or National Guard duty status maps onto this track, so this page does not state one either. A free accredited representative can check your specific service.
Conditions VA lists (67)
Names are reproduced exactly as VA publishes them. Where VA's pages differ, or where a name carries a qualifier, the note says so.
Cancers
- Brain cancerAdded by the PACT Act
Listed on the va.gov disability eligibility page, the va.gov PACT Act page, and publichealth.va.gov. Statutory basis 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(I), enacted by the PACT Act (Pub. L. 117-168), verified against the public law text.
- Gastrointestinal cancer of any typeAdded by the PACT Act
On all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(D). VA's presumptive-cancers page names specific diagnoses underneath this umbrella.
- GlioblastomaAdded by the PACT Act
On all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(14), which sits at the end of the statutory list rather than with the other cancers.
- Head cancer of any typeAdded by the PACT Act
On all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(A).
- Kidney cancerAdded by the PACT Act
Listed on the va.gov PACT Act page and publichealth.va.gov, and in the statute at 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(H). It does NOT appear by that name on the va.gov disability eligibility page, which uses "Genitourinary cancer" instead. Its absence from that one page does not mean it was removed. VA's presumptive-cancers page resolves kidney cancer under Genitourinary as "Renal cell carcinoma" and "Non-renal cell carcinoma (renal sarcoma, Wilms tumor)."
- Lymphoma of any typeAdded by the PACT Act
On all three VA summary pages. The statute carries two distinct entries: "Lymphoma cancer of any type" (38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(F)) and "Lymphomatic cancer of any type" (1120(b)(2)(G)).
- MelanomaAdded by the PACT Act
On all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(J).
- Neck cancer of any typeAdded by the PACT Act
This wording is used on the va.gov disability eligibility page and the va.gov PACT Act page and matches 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(B). publichealth.va.gov writes it as "Neck cancer" without "of any type."
- Pancreatic cancerAdded by the PACT Act
On all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(K).
- Reproductive cancer of any typeAdded by the PACT Act
On all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(E). VA's presumptive-cancers page names specific diagnoses underneath this umbrella.
- Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any typeAdded by the PACT Act
On all three VA summary pages, with this exact parenthetical. The statute says "Respiratory cancer of any type" (38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(C)).
Cancers (umbrella terms added by regulation)
This exact wording appears only on the va.gov disability eligibility page. Not on the va.gov PACT Act page. Regulatory basis 38 CFR 3.320a, effective January 2, 2025 (90 FR 29), which is a regulatory expansion after the PACT Act, not part of the 2022 statute.
This exact wording appears only on the va.gov disability eligibility page. Regulatory basis 38 CFR 3.320b, effective January 10, 2025 (90 FR 1901). VA's presumptive-cancers page uses "Hematologic and lymphatic cancers" as a category heading with named diagnoses under it.
publichealth.va.gov wording. Matches the title of 38 CFR 3.320a. Note that the regulation's operative disease list is narrower than its title: it names only "Urinary bladder cancer, including over-lapping sites of the bladder" and "Ureter cancer, including the ureteric orifice, and urachus."
Blood and bone marrow cancers
VA's burn pits page publishes this as its own bullet. VA's presumptive-cancers page publishes "Acute leukemias" (plural), matching 38 CFR 3.320b(b)(1). publichealth.va.gov's PACT Act page merges the two into a single bullet that reads "Acute and chonic leukemias", which contains VA's own misspelling of "chronic". That merged typo string is one page's rendering and should not be treated as VA's canonical name.
VA's burn pits page publishes this as its own bullet. VA's presumptive-cancers page publishes "Chronic leukemias" (plural), matching 38 CFR 3.320b(b)(2).
publichealth.va.gov PACT Act page. Corresponds to the statutory entry "Lymphomatic cancer of any type" at 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(2)(G).
publichealth.va.gov wording, plural as published. 38 CFR 3.320b(b)(3) reads "Multiple myelomas, including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)."
publichealth.va.gov. 38 CFR 3.320b(b)(4) reads "Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)."
publichealth.va.gov. 38 CFR 3.320b(b)(5).
Rare respiratory cancers (38 CFR 3.320)
VA publishes this in the combined bulleted list under "Presumptive Conditions for Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures" on its burn pits page (page states Last Updated November 3, 2025), in the same undivided list as brain cancer and melanoma. Regulatory basis 38 CFR 3.320, with the rare respiratory cancers added by 88 FR 60341, September 1, 2023, which is after the PACT Act, not before it. It does not appear on the three VA summary pages.
Published in VA's combined burn-pit presumptive list on the burn pits page. 38 CFR 3.320, cancers added 88 FR 60341, September 1, 2023.
Published in VA's combined burn-pit presumptive list on the burn pits page. 38 CFR 3.320.
Published in VA's combined burn-pit presumptive list on the burn pits page. 38 CFR 3.320.
Published in VA's combined burn-pit presumptive list on the burn pits page. 38 CFR 3.320.
Published in VA's combined burn-pit presumptive list on the burn pits page. 38 CFR 3.320.
Published in VA's combined burn-pit presumptive list on the burn pits page. 38 CFR 3.320.
Published in VA's combined burn-pit presumptive list on the burn pits page. 38 CFR 3.320.
Published in VA's combined burn-pit presumptive list on the burn pits page. 38 CFR 3.320.
Named diagnoses VA lists under Reproductive cancer
VA's presumptive-cancers page (page states Last updated April 8, 2025) names specific diagnoses under each umbrella category. This entry appears under Reproductive.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Reproductive.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Reproductive.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Reproductive.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Reproductive.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Reproductive.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Reproductive. Do not confuse this with the ionizing radiation track, where prostate cancer is on the case-by-case radiogenic list only.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Reproductive.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Reproductive.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Reproductive.
Named diagnoses VA lists under head and neck cancer
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under the head and neck category.
Named diagnoses VA lists under Gastrointestinal cancer
VA's exact bullet wording on the presumptive-cancers page, under Gastrointestinal.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Gastrointestinal.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Gastrointestinal.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Gastrointestinal.
Plural as VA publishes it on the presumptive-cancers page, under Gastrointestinal.
Plural as VA publishes it on the presumptive-cancers page, under Gastrointestinal.
Plural as VA publishes it on the presumptive-cancers page, under Gastrointestinal.
Named diagnoses VA lists under Lymphomas
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Lymphomas.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Lymphomas.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Lymphomas.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Lymphomas.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Lymphomas.
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Lymphomas.
Named diagnoses VA lists under Genitourinary cancers
Named on VA's presumptive-cancers page under Genitourinary. This is where kidney cancer resolves in VA's named taxonomy.
VA's exact bullet wording on the presumptive-cancers page, under Genitourinary.
Respiratory illnesses
- Asthma that was diagnosed after serviceAdded by the PACT Act
Identical wording on all three VA summary pages. Statute: "Asthma that was diagnosed after service of the covered veteran as specified in subsection (c)" (38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(1)).
- Chronic bronchitisAdded by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(3).
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Added by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages, spelled out with the abbreviation. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(4).
- Chronic rhinitisAdded by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(13).
- Chronic sinusitisAdded by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(12). The separate 38 CFR 3.320 track words it as "Sinusitis, to include rhinosinusitis."
- Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitisAdded by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(5).
- EmphysemaAdded by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(6).
- Granulomatous diseaseAdded by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(7).
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)Added by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. The statute says "Interstitial lung disease" without the abbreviation (38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(8)).
- PleuritisAdded by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(9).
- Pulmonary fibrosisAdded by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(10).
- SarcoidosisAdded by the PACT Act
Identical on all three VA summary pages. 38 U.S.C. 1120(b)(11).
Locations and dates (29)
Service in these places during these periods is what establishes the presumption. The dates are exact and they matter.
Dates: On or after September 11, 2001
VA: "If you served in any of these locations on or after September 11, 2001, you have a presumption of exposure to burn pits or other toxins." Confirmed at 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)(i).
Dates: On or after September 11, 2001
38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)(ii).
Dates: On or after September 11, 2001
38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)(iii).
Dates: On or after September 11, 2001
38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)(iv).
Dates: On or after September 11, 2001
38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)(v).
Dates: On or after September 11, 2001
38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)(vi).
Dates: On or after September 11, 2001
38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)(vii). The regulation lists Yemen before Uzbekistan, so the order is not alphabetical.
Dates: On or after September 11, 2001
38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2)(viii).
Dates: On or after September 11, 2001
VA's exact bullet wording for the post-9/11 country list. 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(2) says "while assigned to a duty station in, including airspace above."
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
VA: "If you served in any of these locations on or after August 2, 1990, you have a presumption of exposure to burn pits or other toxins." Falls within the "Southwest Asia theater of operations" definition at 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(1)(i) and 3.317(e)(2).
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Gulf War era country list.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Gulf War era country list.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Gulf War era country list.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Gulf War era country list.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Gulf War era country list.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Gulf War era country list. Called out separately at 38 CFR 3.320a(c)(1)(ii) because it is not part of the Southwest Asia theater of operations.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Wording on the va.gov disability eligibility page. The va.gov PACT Act page writes "The United Arab Emirates (UAE)" with a leading "The."
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
VA's exact bullet wording for the Gulf War era country list.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Part of a third, separate qualifying-location list on the va.gov disability eligibility page, introduced with the same sentence as the country lists. This bodies-of-water group is NOT reproduced on the va.gov PACT Act page, which matters for Navy and Marine Corps veterans who served afloat and never went ashore. Basis: these waters fall inside the Southwest Asia theater of operations definition at 38 CFR 3.320(a)(6)(i) and 3.317(e)(2). This group carries no airspace bullet.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Same bodies-of-water list. Omitted from the va.gov PACT Act page.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Same bodies-of-water list. Omitted from the va.gov PACT Act page.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Same bodies-of-water list. Omitted from the va.gov PACT Act page.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
Same bodies-of-water list. Omitted from the va.gov PACT Act page.
Dates: On or after August 2, 1990
VA's exact wording including the slash. Published in the bodies-of-water list even though it is a land area. Omitted from the va.gov PACT Act page.
Dates: No separate date range published; VA lists this on the specific environmental hazards eligibility page as a way a veteran may have had exposure
VA's exact bullet wording, published under "Here are some ways you may have had exposure to specific environmental hazards" on the va.gov disability eligibility page. This is an exposure route, not a country-and-date presumption of exposure.
Dates: No separate date range published; listed by VA as a way a veteran may have had exposure
VA's exact bullet wording on the va.gov disability eligibility page.
Dates: No separate date range published; listed by VA as a way a veteran may have had exposure
VA's exact bullet wording on the va.gov disability eligibility page. This is the only exposure route VA names on that page that is outside Southwest Asia, Vietnam, and the radiation sites, so it is easy to miss.
Dates: Not applicable; placeholder published by VA
VA's exact bullet, published in the health care eligibility section of the va.gov PACT Act page. The parenthetical confirms no additional countries had been added as of that page's June 2, 2026 update, and signals that the list can be extended.
Dates: On or after September 19, 2001
Different rule, different date. 38 CFR 3.320(a)(5)(ii) defines its qualifying period as "Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, or Uzbekistan on or after September 19, 2001, during the Persian Gulf War." That is September 19, not September 11. This 2021 particulate-matter rule is a separate presumption track covering asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, and the nine rare respiratory cancers (the cancers were added later, by 88 FR 60341, September 1, 2023). It does not narrow the PACT Act's September 11, 2001 date. Both tracks exist in parallel.
Sources
Checked August 6, 2026. VA revises these pages often; the live pages win over this one.
- https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/specific-environmental-hazards/
- https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/benefits/PACT_Act.asp
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/index.asp
- https://www.va.gov/resources/presumptive-cancers-related-to-burn-pit-exposure/
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR39056aee4e9ff13/section-3.320
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR39056aee4e9ff13/section-3.320a
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR39056aee4e9ff13/section-3.320b
- https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ168/PLAW-117publ168.htm
Educational only, not legal, medical, or claims advice. MusterVault organizes records and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.