UPDATED List of VA TERA Presumptive Conditions

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Exposure to toxic substances, like burn pits and airborne hazards, during military service has left countless veterans facing serious health challenges.

Fortunately, the VA now acknowledges a broad range of PACT Act presumptive conditions linked to Toxic Exposure Risk Activities (TERA), significantly expanding benefits for Gulf War-era and post-9/11 veterans.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a condition linked to toxic exposure, you may qualify for presumptive VA disability benefits, which makes it easier to qualify.

In this article, VA disability expert Brian Reese breaks down everything you need to know about TERA events, the updated list of TERA presumptive conditions, basic eligibility requirements, and how to file a successful VA disability claim under the PACT Act.

Summary of Key Points

• Toxic Exposure Risk Activities (TERA): TERA includes five categories of exposure to hazardous substances like burn pits, chemicals, radiation, and warfare agents during military service, which can lead to chronic or life-threatening conditions.

• PACT Act Presumptive Conditions: The VA now recognizes 23 presumptive conditions linked to TERA events, simplifying the claims process by eliminating the need to prove a direct connection between service and the condition.

• Qualifying Locations and Timeframes: Veterans who served in eligible locations like Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the Southwest Asia theater of operations during specified timeframes are presumed to have been exposed to toxic hazards, simplifying the claims process and making it easier to qualify for VA disability benefits.

• How to File a TERA Claim Under the PACT Act: Veterans must gather their medical records, proof of qualifying service, and other supporting documentation to file their VA claim. Veterans need only provide military service records, like their DD 214, to demonstrate service in eligible locations during the qualifying period. This streamlines the process of obtaining the benefits they are entitled to, and Nexus Letters are not required for presumptive claims under the PACT Act

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What is a VA Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA)?

The VA defines Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA) as any exposure to hazardous substances during your military service.

These hazards may not be immediately apparent but can lead to chronic illnesses or life-threatening conditions over time.

5 Categories of TERA Hazards

TERA includes exposure to a wide range of toxic substances, grouped into five major categories:

#1. Air Pollutants:

• Burn pits
• Sand, dust, and particulates
• Oil well fires
• Sulfur fires

#2. Chemicals:

• Pesticides and herbicides
• Depleted uranium (including embedded shrapnel)
• Contaminated water sources

#3. Occupational Hazards:

• Asbestos
• Industrial solvents
• Lead and chemical-resistant paints
• Firefighting foams

#4. Radiation:

• Nuclear weapons handling, maintenance, and detonation
• Radioactive material and calibration sources
• X-rays
• Service on nuclear submarines or ships
• Involvement in cleanup after nuclear accidents

#5. Warfare Agents:

• Nerve agents
• Chemical and biological weapons

If you served in environments or roles where you were exposed to any of these hazards, you may qualify for TERA presumptive conditions under the PACT Act.

Am I Eligible for Presumptive VA Disability Due to Toxic Exposure?

You may be eligible for VA disability compensation if:

• You have a diagnosed health condition caused by a TERA event (such as a condition on the VA’s presumptive list).

• You served on active duty in a qualifying location that exposed you to burn pits or other toxic hazards.

• You received an honorable or other qualifying discharge.

Updated VA TERA Presumptive Conditions List

The PACT Act added 23 “buckets” to the VA’s list of presumptive conditions for TERA events covering over 330 specific medical conditions.

A presumptive condition under the PACT Act means the VA assumes your illness is service-connected if you meet the eligibility criteria, even if there’s no specific “nexus.”

This eliminates the need to prove a direct link between your condition and your service, making it easier to receive VA disability benefits.

VA TERA Presumptive Cancers List

• Brain cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer (any type)
• Glioblastoma
• Head cancer (any type)
• Kidney cancer
• Lymphatic cancer (any type)
• Lymphoma (any type)
• Melanoma
• Neck cancer (any type)
• Pancreatic cancer
• Reproductive cancer (any type)
• Respiratory cancer (any type)

VA TERA Presumptive Respiratory and Lung Conditions List

• Asthma (diagnosed after service)
• Chronic bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic rhinitis
• Chronic sinusitis
• Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
• Emphysema
• Granulomatous disease
• Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
• Pleuritis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Sarcoidosis

What are the Qualifying Locations for TERA Exposures?

You may qualify for presumptive disability due to toxic exposure if you served in these locations during the following timeframes:

On or After September 11, 2001

• Afghanistan
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Syria
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen
• The airspace above these locations

On or After August 2, 1990

• Bahrain
• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• The airspace above these locations

Additional Qualifying Locations:

• Persian Gulf
• Gulf of Oman
• Gulf of Aden
• Red Sea

If your service location isn’t listed, you can still file a claim, but you’ll need additional evidence to prove how your condition is connected to your service.

What are the VA Ratings for TERA?

There is no specific VA rating for Toxic Exposure Risk Activities (TERA).

Instead, the VA assigns disability ratings based on the medical condition caused by the exposure.

The VA rates TERA under CFR Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities using numerous Diagnostic Codes (DCs) with ratings from 0% to 100%, depending on the condition name and its severity of symptoms.

How to File a VA Disability Claim for TERA

To file a successful VA claim under the PACT Act for TERA, follow these steps:

Gather Evidence:

• Medical records showing a diagnosis of a presumptive condition or other health issues linked to toxic exposure.

• Military records showing service in qualifying locations during the eligible timeframe (e.g., your DD-214).

Submit Your VA Claim:

• File your claim online through the VA’s website, by mail, or with the help of a VA-accredited representative.

Provide Supporting Documentation:

• Include all relevant evidence to strengthen your claim, such as your military medical records, VA medical records, private medical records, and lay evidence.

Follow Up:

• Track your claim status on the VA’s website and respond promptly to any requests for additional information.

• You can always call 1-800-827-1000 to check the current status of your VA claim.

What If I Need Help Filing My PACT Act Claim?

Navigating the VA claims process can be frustrating and overwhelming, especially for complex cases like toxic exposures.

If you need assistance:

• Contact a VA-accredited representative for help with filing your claim.

• Use resources like the VA Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry to document your exposure.

Pro Tip: Take Full Advantage of Your PACT Act Benefits!

The PACT Act has significantly expanded eligibility and benefits for veterans exposed to TERA.

Since its implementation in 2022, over 1 million claims have been approved, with a 74.9% success rate. 

This law also provides free VA healthcare for eligible veterans up to 10 years after separation from service.

Conclusion & Wrap-Up

If you’ve been diagnosed with a condition linked to burn pit exposure, the expanded benefits under the PACT Act offer an unprecedented opportunity to get the compensation and care you deserve. 

Fellow veterans don’t ever forget: YOU SERVED. YOU DESERVE.

Don’t wait—file your PACT Act claim today and take the first step toward securing your rightfully earned VA disability benefits.

If you need help, my team and I are here to guide you every step of the way.

We got your six and will fight for every penny of benefits you deserve!

PACT Act 101 and VA TERA Fact Sheet [Download]

The VA recently published a .pdf guide related to the PACT Act and TERA events.

Click below to download it now:

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