By Michael Bartlett on April 08th, 2025 in PFAS/AFFF
The PACT Act enabled thousands more veterans exposed to toxic chemicals to claim benefits and compensation from the Veterans Affairs (VA). With more than 20 presumptive conditions, qualified service members can receive monthly disability pay ranging from $175 to $3,831.
The PACT Act helps veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other harmful substances receive medical services and monthly disability pay. Since its enactment in 2022, over 6.1 million veterans have already availed themselves of toxic screening tests. Additionally, as of March 2025, the VA has approved more than 1.5 million PACT Act-related claims.
The disability rating is crucial in figuring out the disability pay, and a higher rating means more compensation. The latest figures from the VA showed that veterans with disability ratings between 10% and 20% may not receive much. They are only entitled to a monthly, tax-free payment of $175.51 to $346.95.
For qualified service members whose disability rating is at least 30% and beyond, the basic monthly rates are as follows:
The figures above only refer to veterans with no dependents. Those with dependents, including surviving spouses, children, and parents, can expect higher monthly disability pay from the VA.
Based on the VA's computation matrix, the highest possible disability payout would be $5,189.14 for a veteran whose dependents include one child, a spouse, and two parents, with at least one child under 18 and another child over 18 in a qualifying school program, and whose spouse receives Aid and Attendance.
The Disability Rating refers to how much the veteran's disability impacts their overall health and ability to function, ranging from 0% to 100%. Service members need at least 10% to qualify for benefits and compensation. Higher ratings mean higher levels of impairment, correlating with higher monthly pay.
Generally, a veteran needs to prove that their disability is linked to their military service to obtain a VA disability rating. However, those whose conditions are listed under the PACT Act's Presumptive Conditions can bypass this requirement as it "automatically presumes or assumes" their service has caused their condition. According to the VA, they would only meet the service requirements for the presumption.
In order to receive PACT Act-related compensation and disability pay, veterans must first submit a claim with the VA. They can do so by filing an application on the VA's website, in person, by mail, or with the assistance of professionals.
The PACT Act lets veterans with presumptive conditions ask the VA to review their cases. They can do this by filing a Supplemental Claim if their earlier claim was denied.
Veterans eligible to receive disability payments under the PACT Act are encouraged to submit their claims as soon as possible. Sometimes, filing claims and gathering the required documents can be a hassle. Our team of experienced lawyers can help you submit your claim for compensation. With over 30 years of experience in handling cases concerning veterans exposed to toxic chemicals and substances, we can make the legal process easier for you.