Constrictive Bronchiolitis: VA Presumptive Condition (PACT Act)
VeteranHQ lists Constrictive Bronchiolitis as a presumptive condition in the PACT Act (Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards) group. The exposure it is tied to is: Burn pit smoke, particulate matter, toxic fumes, fine particulates PM2.5. The presumption is effective August 10, 2022. It is governed by PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, § 406(b); 38 USC § 1120(b)(5).
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: Constrictive Bronchiolitis
- Service era
- Post-9/11 (2001–present) or Post-Gulf War (1990–present)
- Service location
- Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia or the United Arab Emirates (on or after August 2, 1990); Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen or Uzbekistan (on or after September 11, 2001); or another country the Secretary determines relevant
- Exposure
- Burn pit smoke, particulate matter, toxic fumes, fine particulates PM2.5
- Effective date
- August 10, 2022
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline
- Diagnostic code
- 6600
Service required for this presumption
Qualifying service is defined by 38 USC § 1119(c)(1): active military, naval, air, or space service while assigned to a duty station in, or in the airspace above, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia or the United Arab Emirates on or after August 2, 1990; or Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan or another country the Secretary determines relevant, on or after September 11, 2001. NO MINIMUM NUMBER OF DAYS IS REQUIRED: neither 38 USC § 1119 nor § 1120 sets one. Constrictive bronchiolitis (also called obliterative bronchiolitis or bronchiolitis obliterans) must be confirmed by surgical lung biopsy; it cannot be diagnosed on pulmonary function testing or imaging alone for VA purposes. Applicability under Public Law 117-168 § 406(d)(2): August 10, 2022 for every claimant.
About this presumption
Constrictive bronchiolitis (obliterative bronchiolitis) is a rare but serious obstructive lung disease characterized by submucosal and peribronchiolar fibrosis resulting in fixed airflow obstruction. It was identified in post-deployment soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with unexplained exertional dyspnea despite normal spirometry at rest. The condition is often misdiagnosed as asthma. The PACT Act recognizes this as a covered condition distinct from asthma.
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.
Surgical lung biopsy confirming bronchiolitis obliterans histopathology (open biopsy or VATS); pulmonary function testing showing fixed obstruction; high-resolution CT chest showing mosaic attenuation or air trapping; pulmonologist evaluation; service records confirming deployment to covered area.
Controlling legal authority
PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, § 406(b); 38 USC § 1120(b)(5)
Related on VeteranHQ
- Bronchitis, chronic: 38 CFR Part 4 rating criteriaThe percentage tiers VA applies once service connection is established, under DC 6600.
- 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 Constrictive Bronchiolitis and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Constrictive Bronchiolitis a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Constrictive Bronchiolitis 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, § 406(b); 38 USC § 1120(b)(5). 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 Constrictive Bronchiolitis presumption?
Qualifying service is defined by 38 USC § 1119(c)(1): active military, naval, air, or space service while assigned to a duty station in, or in the airspace above, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia or the United Arab Emirates on or after August 2, 1990; or Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan or another country the Secretary determines relevant, on or after September 11, 2001. NO MINIMUM NUMBER OF DAYS IS REQUIRED: neither 38 USC § 1119 nor § 1120 sets one. Constrictive bronchiolitis (also called obliterative bronchiolitis or bronchiolitis obliterans) must be confirmed by surgical lung biopsy; it cannot be diagnosed on pulmonary function testing or imaging alone for VA purposes. Applicability under Public Law 117-168 § 406(d)(2): August 10, 2022 for every claimant. Service era: Post-9/11 (2001–present) or Post-Gulf War (1990–present). Service location: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia or the United Arab Emirates (on or after August 2, 1990); Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen or Uzbekistan (on or after September 11, 2001); or another country the Secretary determines relevant.
What evidence is still needed for a Constrictive Bronchiolitis claim?
Surgical lung biopsy confirming bronchiolitis obliterans histopathology (open biopsy or VATS); pulmonary function testing showing fixed obstruction; high-resolution CT chest showing mosaic attenuation or air trapping; pulmonologist evaluation; service records confirming deployment to covered area. 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 Constrictive Bronchiolitis?
No statutory deadline
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.