The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it will now presume service connection for several cancers, making it easier for veterans to receive no-cost health care and earned benefits. This means that veterans who served in certain locations during specific time periods and who have been diagnosed with one of these cancers will not have to prove that their condition is related to their military service.
The expanded list of presumptive cancers includes:
- Acute and chronic leukemias
- Multiple myelomas
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Myelofibrosis
- Urinary bladder cancer
- Ureter cancer
- Related genitourinary cancers
These cancers are now presumptive for service connection for Gulf War Veterans and Post-9/11 Veterans who served in specific locations during their respective conflicts.
What this means for veterans
If you are a veteran who served in one of the qualifying locations and who has been diagnosed with one of these cancers, you may be eligible for VA health care and disability benefits. You can apply for benefits by filing a claim with the VA.
How to file a claim
You can file a claim online, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. You will need to provide documentation of your military service and your diagnosis.
If you need help
If you need help filing a claim or have questions about the PACT Act, you can contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or visit their website at www.va.gov.
Additional resources
We encourage all veterans who may be eligible to apply for benefits under the PACT Act.
