Virginia PACT Act Claims | 90-110 Day Processing

PACT Act Claims Virginia Veterans: 2026 Complete Guide

Virginia veterans filing PACT Act claims can now expect processing times of approximately 90-110 days for presumptive conditions, significantly faster than the national average of 130-150 days for non-presumptive claims . The VA has processed over 500,000 PACT Act-related claims nationwide since the law was signed in August 2022, awarding more than $1 billion in earned benefits to veterans and survivors . Virginia residents file through the Virginia VA Regional Office , and the VA now offers free claims assistance events across the state to help veterans navigate the process . If you were previously denied benefits for a condition now covered, you can file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) without starting over .

Quick Facts

What is the PACT Act?

The PACT Act—formally the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act—is a federal law signed August 10, 2022, that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances .

What it does:

• Expands and extends VA health care eligibility for veterans with toxic exposures from the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras 

• Adds 20+ presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures 

• Adds new presumptive exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation 

• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care 

• Improved research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures 

Why it matters to Virginia veterans: Virginia has a large veteran population, with 15,000+ veterans newly eligible for VA health care under the PACT Act, many of whom may now qualify for disability compensation without needing to prove service connection .

Who Qualifies for PACT Act Benefits in Virginia?

You are eligible to apply for PACT Act benefits if you meet basic service and discharge requirements and any of these apply to you:

• You served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11 

• You deployed in support of the Global War on Terror 

• You were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service at home or abroad 

Toxins and hazards covered include: burn pits, sand and dust, particulates, oil well or sulfur fires, chemicals, radiation, warfare agents, depleted uranium, herbicides, and other occupational hazards .

Service location rule: The state where you reside—Virginia—determines which VA Regional Office processes your claim, not the state where you served . Virginia residents file with the Virginia VA Regional Office regardless of where they served .

Presumptive Conditions Under the PACT Act

For PACT Act presumptive conditions, you do not need to prove that your service caused your condition . You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption.

Burn Pit and Other Toxic Exposure Presumptive Conditions

The PACT Act added these presumptive conditions for veterans who served in Southwest Asia, Afghanistan, or other areas with burn pit exposure:

Respiratory Conditions:

• Asthma (diagnosed after service)

• Chronic bronchitis

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Chronic rhinitis

• Chronic sinusitis

• Constrictive bronchiolitis

• Emphysema

• Granulomatous disease

• Interstitial lung disease

• Pleuritis

• Pulmonary fibrosis

• Sarcoidosis

Cancers:

• Respiratory cancers (lung, larynx, trachea)

• And others covered under the PACT Act

Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions

New conditions added by the PACT Act:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) 

Existing conditions (still covered):

• Type 2 diabetes, various cancers, and other diseases

New presumptive locations for Agent Orange:

• Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand (Jan 1962 – June 1976)

• Laos (Dec 1965 – Sept 1969)

• Cambodia (Mimot or Krek, April 1969)

• Guam, American Samoa, or territorial waters (Jan 1962 – July 1980)

• Johnston Atoll (Jan 1972 – Sept 1977) 

Radiation Exposure Presumptive Locations

New response efforts added:

• Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll (Jan 1977 – Dec 1980)

• Cleanup of Air Force B-52 bomber carrying nuclear weapons off Palomares, Spain (Jan 1966 – Mar 1967)

• Fire response on Air Force B-52 bomber near Thule Air Force Base, Greenland (Jan 1968 – Sept 1968) 

How to File a PACT Act Claim in Virginia

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

• DD-214 (Member Copy 4)

• Service medical records (if available)

• Private medical records with current diagnoses

• Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966)—this preserves your effective date

Important: For PACT Act presumptive conditions, you do not need a medical-nexus letter proving service connection .

Step 2: File Your Claim

Option 1: File Online (Fastest)
Go to VA.gov and file online. PACT Act claims often process faster online.

Option 2: File with Free Assistance

• Work with a Virginia County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) 

• Visit a VA claims clinic—the VA hosts events across the region 

• Contact a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) like DAV, VFW, or American Legion

Option 3: File by Mail
Submit VA Form 21-526EZ to your VA Regional Office .

Step 3: Attend Your C&P Exam

The VA will schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination to evaluate your condition.

Step 4: Wait for Decision

• PACT Act presumptive claims: 90-110 days in Virginia 

• Non-presumptive claims: 130-150 days 

PACT Act Claim Processing Times in 2026

The VA has significantly improved processing times. The disability claims backlog has dropped below 70,000 for the first time since February 2020 .

What is a “backlogged” claim? A claim is backlogged when processing takes longer than 125 days . The PACT Act claim completion metric is measured from the date VA receives the claim to the date it closes, not the date processing begins .

Why PACT claims may take longer historically: VA prioritized and completed terminal illness claims but did not begin processing most PACT Act claims until January 1, 2023. This inflated the average days to complete metric for some claims .

Cancer claims expedited: The VA prioritizes processing claims for cancers associated with the PACT Act .

What If Your Claim Was Previously Denied?

You can file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) if:

• Your disability claim was denied in the past

• Your condition is now considered presumptive under the PACT Act 

Key rule: You have one year from the date you filed an Intent to File to complete your claim and protect your earliest potential effective date .

Why file a Supplemental Claim:

• You do not need to start over

• The VA will review your case again 

• You may be eligible for retroactive benefits

Steps for a Supplemental Claim:

1. Contact a Virginia CVSO or VSO for assistance 

2. Submit VA Form 20-0995 with any new evidence

3. VA reviews your case again

Free Help Filing PACT Act Claims in Virginia

Virginia County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs)

Virginia has CVSOs located in each county who provide free claims assistance. They file directly with the appropriate VA Regional Office on your behalf .

VA Claims Clinics

The VA hosts “one-stop shop” claims clinics to get veterans medically screened and help them with the claims process . These events are especially helpful for veterans who have never filed before or who were previously denied .

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

• DAV (Disabled American Veterans)

• VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)

• American Legion

• VA-accredited claims agents

How to find help:

• Visit va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits&state=VA to find your regional office 

• Contact the Virginia Department of Veterans Services

• Attend a VA outreach event—check va.gov/outreach-and-events/events

Toxic Exposure Screenings

Every veteran enrolled in VA health care will receive:

• An initial toxic exposure screening

• Follow-up screening at least once every 5 years 

What the screening asks about:

• Open burn pits and other airborne hazards

• Gulf War-related exposures

• Agent Orange

• Radiation

• Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure

• Other exposures 

Why it matters: The screening connects you to benefits information, registry exams, and clinical resources you may need .

How to get screened:

• Ask at your next VA health care appointment

• Contact your local VA health facility and ask for the toxic exposure screening navigator 

• Schedule a telehealth screening on VET-HOME 

Common Questions

1. What is the PACT Act and who does it cover?

The PACT Act is the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. It covers veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances, including Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 veterans . Virginia veterans can apply regardless of where they served.

2. How long does a PACT Act claim take in Virginia?

PACT Act presumptive claims in Virginia take approximately 90-110 days . Non-presumptive claims take 130-150 days. National averages are now around 77 days .

3. Do I need a medical-nexus letter for a PACT Act claim?

No. For PACT Act presumptive conditions, you do not need to prove that your service caused your condition—the VA presumes it .

4. What if my claim was denied before the PACT Act?

You can file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) if your condition is now presumptive . Contact a Virginia CVSO or VSO for free help .

5. Which VA Regional Office processes Virginia claims?

Virginia residents file with the Virginia VA Regional Office. The state where you reside determines which office processes your claim . Find your regional office at va.gov/find-locations/ .

6. Are there free claims assistance events in Virginia?

Yes. The VA hosts claims clinics where veterans can get medically screened and get help filing claims. These events are “one-stop shops” . Check va.gov/outreach-and-events/events for upcoming events.

7. What are the new Agent Orange conditions under the PACT Act?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) were added . Other conditions like type 2 diabetes and various cancers remain covered.

8. What new locations are presumptive for Agent Orange?

New locations include any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand (1962-1976), Laos (1965-1969), Cambodia (April 1969), Guam and American Samoa (1962-1980), and Johnston Atoll (1972-1977) .

9. What are the new radiation exposure response efforts?

Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll (1977-1980), cleanup of the Palomares, Spain B-52 bomber (1966-1967), and the Thule Air Force Base fire response (1968) were added .

10. What is the deadline for filing a PACT Act claim?

If you filed an Intent to File by August 14, 2023, you must file your claim within one year of that date to protect your earliest potential effective date . There is no final deadline for new claims, but filing sooner preserves benefits.

11. Does the PACT Act expand VA health care eligibility?

Yes. Starting March 5, 2024, VA expanded health care to millions of veterans—years earlier than called for by the PACT Act . If you served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or other combat zones after 9/11, you may be eligible to enroll now .

12. How do I get a toxic exposure screening?

Ask at your next VA health care appointment or contact your local VA health facility and ask for the toxic exposure screening navigator. You can also schedule a telehealth screening .

13. How many PACT Act claims have been filed?

Since the PACT Act was signed in August 2022, veterans and their survivors have filed more than 500,000 claims. The VA has awarded more than $1 billion in earned benefits .

14. What if I don’t have a current diagnosis?

The VA may still evaluate your claim. The C&P exam can provide a medical opinion and diagnosis. However, having a current diagnosis from a private doctor strengthens your claim.

15. Can I file a PACT Act claim for a family member?

Survivors of veterans who died from service-connected conditions may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Contact a VSO or the Virginia VA Regional Office for assistance.

Key Takeaways

• Virginia PACT Act claims take 90-110 days for presumptive conditions, faster than the national average 

• Over 500,000 PACT Act claims filed nationwide with $1B+ awarded to veterans and survivors 

• No medical-nexus letter needed for PACT Act presumptive conditions—the VA presumes service connection 

• Previously denied claims can be reopened with a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) 

• Free claims assistance is available through Virginia CVSOs, VA claims clinics, and VSOs 

• Toxic exposure screenings are required for all veterans enrolled in VA health care 

• Presumptive conditions expanded: 20+ new burn pit conditions, hypertension and MGUS (Agent Orange), new locations for Agent Orange and radiation 

• VA backlog fell below 70,000 in 2026, with average processing now 77 days 

• File online at VA.gov for fastest processing, or get free local help 

• Intent to File preserves your effective date—file this first to protect back pay 

Official Resources

• VA PACT Act Information: www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits

• File a Claim Online: www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim

• Find Your VA Regional Office: va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits&state=VA

• Virginia Department of Veterans Services: www.dvs.virginia.gov

• VA Toxic Exposure Screening: www.va.gov/PACT

• VA Outreach Events: www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events

• VA Form 21-526EZ (New Claim): www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-526ez

• VA Form 20-0995 (Supplemental Claim): www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-20-0995

• VA News (PACT Act): news.va.gov/press-releases

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