Bladder Cancer: VA Presumptive Condition (PACT Act)
VeteranHQ lists Bladder Cancer as a presumptive condition in the PACT Act (Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards) group. The exposure it is tied to is: Airborne hazards, burn pit smoke, particulate matter. The presumption is effective August 10, 2022. It is governed by PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, Section 3114; 38 CFR § 3.320a.
A presumption removes one requirement and one only: the veteran does not have to prove a medical link between the condition and service. Everything else still applies. There must be a current diagnosis, the service has to meet the requirements below, and VA decides the claim on the evidence in the record.
What qualifies: Bladder Cancer
- Service era
- Post-9/11 (2001–present) or Post-Gulf War (1990–present)
- Service location
- Southwest Asia theater of operations, Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, or other covered locations
- Exposure
- Airborne hazards, burn pit smoke, particulate matter
- Effective date
- August 10, 2022
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline; file as soon as diagnosis is confirmed
- Diagnostic code
- 7528
Service required for this presumption
Veteran must have served on active duty for at least 90 days during an applicable period. Service in the covered area must be documented in service records. No minimum exposure duration required under PACT Act presumption.
About this presumption
Bladder cancer is presumptively service-connected for veterans exposed to airborne hazards including burn pit smoke during qualifying military service. The PACT Act expanded presumptive coverage to include bladder cancer based on epidemiological evidence linking combustion byproducts (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, acrolein) to urothelial carcinoma. Previously covered only under Agent Orange presumptives for Vietnam veterans.
Evidence still needed
A presumption does not remove the evidence requirement. VA still needs a current diagnosis from a medical provider and service records that show the qualifying service above. What it removes is the medical opinion connecting the two.
DD-214 or service records confirming qualifying service location and dates; medical diagnosis of bladder cancer (pathology report, biopsy results, imaging); buddy statements corroborating burn pit exposure if service records are insufficient.
Controlling legal authority
PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, Section 3114; 38 CFR § 3.320a
Related on VeteranHQ
- Malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system: 38 CFR Part 4 rating criteriaThe percentage tiers VA applies once service connection is established, under DC 7528.
- VA presumptive conditions, explainedHow presumptive service connection works, and what it does not cover.
- All presumptive conditions by exposureAgent Orange, PACT Act, Camp Lejeune, Gulf War, and ionizing radiation.
Questions About Bladder Cancer and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Bladder Cancer a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Bladder Cancer as presumptive in the PACT Act (Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards) group, effective August 10, 2022, under PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, Section 3114; 38 CFR § 3.320a. A presumption removes the requirement to prove a medical link to service. A current diagnosis and qualifying service are still required, and VA decides the claim.
What service qualifies for the Bladder Cancer presumption?
Veteran must have served on active duty for at least 90 days during an applicable period. Service in the covered area must be documented in service records. No minimum exposure duration required under PACT Act presumption. Service era: Post-9/11 (2001–present) or Post-Gulf War (1990–present). Service location: Southwest Asia theater of operations, Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, or other covered locations.
What evidence is still needed for a Bladder Cancer claim?
DD-214 or service records confirming qualifying service location and dates; medical diagnosis of bladder cancer (pathology report, biopsy results, imaging); buddy statements corroborating burn pit exposure if service records are insufficient. A presumption removes the requirement to prove a medical link to service. A current diagnosis and qualifying service are still required, and VA decides the claim.
Is there a filing deadline for Bladder Cancer?
No statutory deadline; file as soon as diagnosis is confirmed
VeteranHQ publishes VA rules and the citations behind them. It does not prepare, file, or represent claims, and nothing here is legal advice or a prediction of what VA will decide.