If you served where VA says, you don't have to prove the nexus.

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 extended AO presumption to Navy vets who served within 12 nautical miles of the Vietnam coast. Same condition list as in-country.

Service window

Jan 9, 1962 — May 7, 1975

Locations

Vietnam, Tonkin Gulf, South China Sea, Blue Water, offshore Vietnam, USS, 7th Fleet, Task Force 77, Yankee Station, Dixie Station, Gulf of Tonkin

Minimum days

1

Authority

Pub. L. 116-23 (Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019); 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(iv)

Supplemental Claim with ship name + deck logs showing 12nm entry. Ship-position rosters archived by VA — Berkley Research Group and JAG can pull.

Air Force reservists and active-duty crew who flew, maintained, or worked on C-123 aircraft (Fairchild UC-123K/AC-123K) that had previously sprayed Agent Orange in Vietnam are presumed exposed if service was between 1969 and 1986.

Service window

Jan 1, 1969 — Dec 31, 1986

Locations

C-123, UC-123, AC-123, Fairchild, Westover, Rickenbacker, Pittsburgh Air Reserve, 355th TAS, 731st TAS, 906th TAS, Providence, Hanscom, Lockbourne

Minimum days

1

Authority

38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(v); AL 12-13 (2015)

Supplemental Claim + AF Form showing C-123 assignment. Reservists must show a specific mission qualifying them under the rule.

Veterans who served in units operating in or near the Korean DMZ between 1 Sep 1967 and 31 Aug 1971 are presumed exposed to Agent Orange. VA maintains a specific unit list.

Service window

Sep 1, 1967 — Aug 31, 1971

Locations

Korea, Korean DMZ, DMZ, 2nd Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Camp Red Cloud, Camp Hovey, Camp Howze, Panmunjom, Republic of Korea

Minimum days

1

Authority

38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(iv); M21-1 IV.ii.1.H.4

Supplemental Claim + unit orders confirming DMZ service. VA's DMZ unit list is the shortcut.

Veterans who served in Laos (1965-1969) or Cambodia (1969-1970) are presumed exposed to tactical herbicides — VA extended the presumption in 2022.

Service window

Jan 1, 1965 — Dec 31, 1970

Locations

Laos, Cambodia, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Kampuchea, Mekong, Steel Tiger, Barrel Roll

Minimum days

1

Authority

PACT Act 2022 § 402; VA-Presumptive-List Update 2022

Supplemental Claim + orders or unit records showing presence in Laos/Cambodia. Special ops records may still be classified — DPRIS + unit historian.

Veterans stationed at Royal Thai Air Force Bases between Jan 1962 and Jun 1976 whose duties placed them near the base perimeter (security police, dog handlers, K-9 units, perimeter fuel handlers, engineers) are conceded exposure.

Service window

Jan 9, 1962 — Jun 30, 1976

Locations

Thailand, U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang, NKP, RTAFB, Royal Thai Air Force

Minimum days

1

Authority

38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6); VA Adjudication Procedures Manual M21-1 IV.ii.1.H.5; VA Presumptive List

Supplemental Claim + DD-214 + MOS showing perimeter duty. If MOS was clerical, buddy statements + base maps can still establish proximity.

Service on the perimeter of Royal Thai Air Force Bases (U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang) Jan 1962 – May 1975, or in or near the Korean DMZ 1 Apr 1968 – 31 Aug 1971, gives presumption of Agent Orange exposure.

Service window

Jan 9, 1962 — May 7, 1975

Locations

U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang, Thailand RTAFB, Korean DMZ, DMZ, Korea DMZ

Authority

38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(iii) and (iv)

Documentation: MOS that put vet on perimeter (security police, dog handlers, etc.). Korea DMZ: unit history.

Veterans who set foot in the Republic of Vietnam (including inland waterways) between 9 Jan 1962 and 7 May 1975 are presumed exposed to Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides. 17+ conditions are presumptively service-connected.

Service window

Jan 9, 1962 — May 7, 1975

Locations

Vietnam, Republic of Vietnam, Saigon, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Ho Chi Minh, Hue, Hanoi, Vung Tau, Mekong, Nha Trang, I Corps, II Corps, III Corps, IV Corps, MACV, RVN

Minimum days

1

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1116; 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(iii); § 3.309(e); M21-1 IV.ii.1.H.1

Supplemental Claim citing in-country Vietnam service. Attach DD-214 pages showing Vietnam service dates and unit. ITF (21-0966) first.

Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between 9 Jan 1962 and 7 May 1975, including service aboard ships in the inland waterways or boots on ground, are presumed exposed to Agent Orange. 17+ conditions are presumptively service-connected.

Service window

Jan 9, 1962 — May 7, 1975

Locations

Vietnam, Republic of Vietnam, RVN, Da Nang, Saigon, Mekong, Tan Son Nhut, Agent Orange, herbicide

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1116, 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e)

If previously denied, file 20-0995 Supplemental Claim citing the new evidence / regulation change.

A diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a veteran who served on active duty for 90+ continuous days is presumptively service-connected regardless of when symptoms appeared.

Service window

Any qualifying service

Locations

ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig

Minimum days

90

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1112(c), 38 C.F.R. § 3.318

Strong, easy presumption. Typically results in 100% schedular + SMC; pair with TDIU + A&A applications as condition progresses.

Veterans who participated in atmospheric nuclear tests (1945-1962), Hiroshima/Nagasaki occupation (Aug 1945 – July 1946), POWs in Japan, Enewetak cleanup (1977-1980), Palomares cleanup, or worked on internment of nuclear material qualify for radiation-exposure presumption.

Service window

Aug 6, 1945 — present

Locations

Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Enewetak, Bikini Atoll, Operation Crossroads, Operation Sandstone, Palomares, radiation, nuclear test, atomic

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1112(c), 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d)

Establish radiation-risk activity via DD-214, unit history, NTPR. File alongside MOS/dose data request.

Veterans who served on ships within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam's shoreline between 9 Jan 1962 and 7 May 1975 are presumed exposed to Agent Orange. Same condition list as Vietnam boots-on-ground.

Service window

Jan 9, 1962 — May 7, 1975

Locations

Blue Water, offshore Vietnam, Vietnam ships, Tonkin Gulf, Yankee Station

Authority

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, 38 U.S.C. § 1116(f)

Confirm ship location via DD-214 + deck logs (NARA).

Marines, sailors, and family members who resided or worked at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River between 1 Aug 1953 and 31 Dec 1987 for 30+ cumulative days are presumed exposed to TCE, PCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride via contaminated well water. Eight diseases are presumptive.

Service window

Aug 1, 1953 — Dec 31, 1987

Locations

Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River, Jacksonville NC, MCB Camp Lejeune, Tarawa Terrace, Hadnot Point, Holcomb Boulevard, Berkeley Manor, Paradise Point

Minimum days

30

Authority

Pub. L. 112-154 (Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012); 38 U.S.C. § 1710(e); 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(f); Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (separate civil-court remedy)

Supplemental Claim + proof of 30-day cumulative residency (orders, LES, unit rosters). Camp Lejeune Justice Act 2022 opens a SEPARATE tort route in EDNC — advise the vet of both tracks.

Veterans, civilian workers, family members, or others who served / lived at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, for ≥30 cumulative days between 1 Aug 1953 and 31 Dec 1987 are presumed exposed to contaminated drinking water. Eight conditions are presumptively service-connected for VA benefits; the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 also allows tort claims through the EDNC.

Service window

Aug 1, 1953 — Dec 31, 1987

Locations

Camp Lejeune, MCB Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville NC, Onslow County, Tarawa Terrace, Hadnot Point

Minimum days

30

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1710(e)(1)(F), 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(7), Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

File VA disability claim AND consider separate CLJA tort claim filed with the Department of Navy / EDNC (2-year window from law passage).

Veterans/families at MCB Camp Pendleton, CA, exposed to contaminated drinking water (Lower Lake / Box Canyon wells, 1980s). Active issue with potential future presumptive expansion under PACT framework.

Service window

Jan 1, 1980 — Dec 31, 1992

Locations

Camp Pendleton, MCB Camp Pendleton, Oceanside CA

Minimum days

30

Authority

PACT Act 2022 (CLJA companion)

Direct service connection on top of any presumptive pathway. Document residence on base.

Veterans exposed to chemical or biological agents during testing (Project 112, SHAD), embassy bombings (Beirut, Mogadishu), or other documented hazardous exposures may qualify for direct service connection with relaxed evidence.

Service window

Any qualifying service

Locations

Project SHAD, Project 112, Edgewood, Fort Detrick, Beirut, Mogadishu, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Khobar Towers

Authority

VA M21-1 Manual, various

Documentation via Project 112/SHAD test rosters held by DoD; FOIA pathways available.

Former POWs (any conflict) receive presumptive service connection for a wide list of conditions, some regardless of internment duration and others requiring 30+ days.

Service window

Any qualifying service

Locations

POW, prisoner of war, captured, internment

Minimum days

1

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1112(b); 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(c)

Original claim citing POW status. VA has a dedicated POW Coordinator at every RO.

Fort McClellan and the adjacent Anniston Army Depot were heavily contaminated with PCBs (from Monsanto), heavy metals, chemical weapons agents (chemical corps training), and radioactive materials. Not yet a formal VA presumptive but supported by extensive documentation.

Service window

Jan 1, 1935 — Dec 31, 1999

Locations

Fort McClellan, Anniston, Anniston Army Depot, Chemical Corps School, WAC training, Women's Army Corps, Pelham Range

Minimum days

30

Authority

ATSDR Health Assessment 2007; VA VBA fact sheet Feb 2018 (recognizes exposure, not presumptive); pending H.R. 411 (Fort McClellan Health Registry Act)

Direct service connection with medical opinion linking condition to Fort McClellan exposure. Cite ATSDR + VA VBA fact sheet.

Nine infectious diseases are presumptively service-connected for SW Asia theater veterans plus Afghanistan, with no manifestation period for some (visceral leishmaniasis is lifetime).

Service window

Aug 2, 1990 — present

Locations

Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Persian Gulf, Southwest Asia

Authority

38 C.F.R. § 3.317(c)

Q fever and brucellosis often missed; ask about livestock contact, vector exposure.

Veterans with qualifying service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations who show signs/symptoms of an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, functional GI disorders) manifest to a 10% degree at any time. Presumptive period extends through 31 Dec 2026.

Service window

Aug 2, 1990 — present

Locations

Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Southwest Asia, Operation Desert, Operation Iraqi Freedom, OEF, OIF

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1117, 38 C.F.R. § 3.317

Use the SW Asia Service Connection box on 21-526EZ; signs/symptoms must be persisting >6 months or recurring.

Same undiagnosed-illness presumption extended to veterans who served in Afghanistan any time since 19 Sep 2001. PACT Act 2022 harmonized OEF service with OIF/Desert Storm.

Service window

Sep 19, 2001 — present

Locations

Afghanistan, Kandahar, Bagram, Kabul, Helmand, OEF, Operation Enduring Freedom

Minimum days

1

Authority

PACT Act 2022 § 406; 38 U.S.C. § 1117; 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(e)

Same DBQ as SWA cohort. Cite PACT Act 2022 § 406 explicitly to avoid confusion at the RO level.

Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations any time since 2 Aug 1990 with chronic undiagnosed illness (fatigue, joint pain, GI, neurological, skin) manifesting to at least 10% disabling are presumed service-connected. Rating remains open indefinitely — no fixed sunset.

Service window

Aug 2, 1990 — present

Locations

Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Southwest Asia, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Turkey (south of 39N)

Minimum days

1

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1117; 38 C.F.R. § 3.317; PACT Act 2022 § 406 (removed prior expiration date)

Original or Supplemental Claim. VA form 21-0960M-9 (Gulf War General Medical Exam) is the specific DBQ. Focus on documenting symptoms not otherwise explained.

Atomic Veterans who participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests (Operations Trinity, Crossroads, Sandstone, Ranger, Buster-Jangle, Tumbler-Snapper, Upshot-Knothole, Castle, Teapot, Wigwam, Redwing, Plumbbob, Hardtack, Argus, Dominic) at Nevada Test Site or Pacific Proving Grounds are presumed exposed.

Service window

Jul 16, 1945 — Nov 4, 1962

Locations

Nevada Test Site, Bikini Atoll, Enewetak, Christmas Island, Johnston Atoll, Pacific Proving Grounds, Operation Crossroads, Operation Sandstone, Operation Ranger, Operation Buster, Operation Tumbler, Operation Upshot, Operation Castle, Operation Teapot, Operation Wigwam, Operation Redwing, Operation Plumbbob, Operation Hardtack, Operation Argus, Operation Dominic

Minimum days

1

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1112(c); 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d)(3)(ii); Radiation Exposed Veterans Compensation Act (REVCA)

Supplemental Claim + DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) participation record. DTRA maintains dose reconstructions for every atomic veteran.

Service members who participated in the Enewetak Atoll cleanup mission between 1 Jan 1977 and 31 Dec 1980 are presumed exposed to radiation. Added as a presumptive under the 2022 PACT Act.

Service window

Jan 1, 1977 — Dec 31, 1980

Locations

Enewetak, Marshall Islands, Runit, Enewetak Atoll

Minimum days

1

Authority

PACT Act 2022 § 302; 38 U.S.C. § 1112(c); 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d)

Supplemental Claim + orders/DD-214 showing Enewetak assignment. DTRA maintains rosters of participants.

U.S. occupation forces who served in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki between 6 Aug 1945 and 1 Jul 1946 are presumed exposed to ionizing radiation from residual fallout.

Service window

Aug 6, 1945 — Jul 1, 1946

Locations

Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Japan occupation, 8th Army, Kyushu, Honshu, Sasebo, Kure, Iwakuni

Minimum days

1

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1112(c); 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(C)

Supplemental Claim + orders showing occupation service in the qualifying window. WWII personnel records via NARA St. Louis.

Service members who responded to the Palomares, Spain B-52 crash between 17 Jan 1966 and 31 Mar 1967 are presumed exposed to plutonium contamination. Added by PACT Act 2022.

Service window

Jan 17, 1966 — Mar 31, 1967

Locations

Palomares, Spain, B-52 crash, Almeria

Minimum days

1

Authority

PACT Act 2022 § 303; 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d)

Supplemental Claim + assignment orders. USAFE and 16th AF unit rosters.

Prisoners of war of Japan who were interned near Hiroshima or Nagasaki when the atomic bombs were detonated are presumed exposed.

Service window

Aug 6, 1945 — Aug 15, 1945

Locations

POW Japan, Hiroshima POW, Nagasaki POW, Fukuoka, Omuta, Mitsubishi, Camp 17, Camp 14

Minimum days

1

Authority

38 U.S.C. § 1112(c); 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(D)

Supplemental Claim + POW records from NARA + JPAC. Very small remaining population; VA processes these quickly when documented.

Service members who responded to the Thule Air Base, Greenland B-52 crash between 21 Jan 1968 and 25 Sep 1968 are presumed exposed to plutonium contamination. Added by PACT Act 2022.

Service window

Jan 21, 1968 — Sep 25, 1968

Locations

Thule, Greenland, Thule Air Base, Pituffik

Minimum days

1

Authority

PACT Act 2022 § 304; 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d)

Supplemental Claim + Thule assignment orders. USAF cleanup crew rosters.

Service members stationed at Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Airbase in Uzbekistan between Oct 2001 and Nov 2005 were exposed to Soviet-era jet fuel, chemical weapons residues, radioactive materials, and burn pit contamination. Congress designated K2 veterans as a distinct exposure cohort.

Service window

Oct 1, 2001 — Nov 30, 2005

Locations

K2, Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan, Camp Stronghold Freedom

Minimum days

1

Authority

NDAA 2021 § 731 (K2 Health Registry); Army Public Health Center 2015 report; PACT Act 2022 (adjacent presumptive framework)

Supplemental Claim + K2 assignment orders. K2 Health Registry enrollment strengthens the record.

Service at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (K2) in Uzbekistan after Oct 2001 is presumed for exposure to depleted uranium, chemical weapons remnants, jet fuel, and asbestos. PACT Act extends presumption to listed cancers and respiratory illnesses.

Service window

Oct 1, 2001 — Dec 31, 2005

Locations

K2, Karshi-Khanabad, Karshi Khanabad, Uzbekistan

Authority

PACT Act 2022

Strong PACT Act match — usually denied historically, file Supplemental claim citing new regulation.

Veterans with PTSD or related mental health conditions resulting from sexual assault, sexual harassment, or repeated unwanted sexual contact during service have a relaxed evidentiary standard — markers (transfer requests, behavioral changes, medical visits, lay statements) may corroborate the stressor.

Service window

Any qualifying service

Locations

MST, military sexual trauma, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape, assault, harassment

Authority

38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(5)

Mandatory 21-0781a. Markers + lay statements often more powerful than the absent contemporaneous report.

Naval Air Facility Atsugi personnel exposed to Shinkanpo Incinerator Complex emissions between 1985 and Mar 2001 have documented exposure to dioxins and hazardous incinerator byproducts.

Service window

Jan 1, 1985 — Mar 31, 2001

Locations

Atsugi, NAF Atsugi, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, Shinkanpo, Yamato

Minimum days

1

Authority

Navy Environmental Health Center 1999 report; VA Public Health guidance

Direct SC with medical nexus opinion. Reference NEHC 1999 report + Navy's own risk assessments.

Extended Persian Gulf service during Operations Southern Watch (1991-2003) and Northern Watch (1997-2003) qualifies for the same SW Asia presumption framework as Desert Storm / OIF.

Service window

Mar 3, 1991 — Apr 30, 2003

Locations

Operation Southern Watch, Operation Northern Watch, OSW, ONW, Incirlik, Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Jaber

Authority

38 C.F.R. § 3.317

Same framework as DS/OIF; document base location.

Veterans who served 2 Aug 1990 – 11 Sept 2001 in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or UAE are presumed exposed to burn pits and airborne hazards. Same condition list as the post-9/11 cohort.

Service window

Aug 2, 1990 — Sep 10, 2001

Locations

Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Desert, burn pit, burn pits

Authority

PACT Act 2022, 38 U.S.C. § 1119, 38 C.F.R. § 3.320

Supplemental claim under PACT Act. ITF first.

Veterans who served after 11 Sept 2001 in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Uzbekistan, or other listed locations are presumed exposed to burn pits and airborne hazards. 23+ conditions are presumptively service-connected.

Service window

Sep 11, 2001 — present

Locations

Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Uzbekistan, K2, Bagram, Kandahar, Balad, burn pit, burn pits, airborne hazard

Authority

Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, 38 U.S.C. § 1119, 38 C.F.R. § 3.320

File a Supplemental Claim under the PACT Act citing exposure. Pair with 21-0966 Intent to File first to lock the effective date.