VA Adds Three New Presumptive Illnesses for Gulf War Veterans
In a continuing effort to expand the impact of the PACT Acton veterans exposed to toxic and hazardous conditions, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced the addition of three new presumptive illnesses for Gulf War veterans. Gulf War era veterans diagnosed with male breast cancer, urethral cancer or cancer of the paraurethral gland may file claims for service-connected disability. Those who were denied benefits in the past for any of these now-presumptive conditions are encouraged to reopen their claims.
Eligible veterans include those who served or deployed as noted below:
- Served in the Gulf War
- Deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, or Uzbekistan after 2001
Veterans who served in other locations in Southwest Asia may also qualify under this expansion of presumptive conditions.
Veterans whose claims are approved may be eligible for benefits retroactive to implementation of the PACT Act in August 2022.