Lymphoma of Any Type (PACT Act): VA Presumptive Condition (PACT Act)
VeteranHQ lists Lymphoma of Any Type (PACT Act) 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, benzene, dioxins, immunosuppressive chemical exposures. The presumption is effective August 10, 2022. It is governed by PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, Section 3114; 38 USC § 1120(b)(7).
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: Lymphoma of Any Type (PACT Act)
- Service era
- Post-9/11 (2001–present) or Post-Gulf War (1990–present)
- Service location
- Southwest Asia theater of operations, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Djibouti, or other covered locations
- Exposure
- Airborne hazards, burn pit smoke, benzene, dioxins, immunosuppressive chemical exposures
- Effective date
- August 10, 2022
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline
- Diagnostic code
- 7715
Service required for this presumption
Active duty service in a covered location for at least 90 days. Covers all lymphoma subtypes including Hodgkin Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-cell and T-cell), follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and cutaneous lymphomas.
About this presumption
All types of lymphoma are presumptively service-connected under the PACT Act for veterans with qualifying burn pit or airborne hazard exposure. Benzene is an established lymphomagen and is present in burn pit emissions from burning plastics, fuels, and industrial waste. Dioxins and furans in burn pit smoke also suppress immune surveillance, promoting lymphoid malignancies. This PACT Act presumptive is distinct from and additive to the Agent Orange NHL presumptive — veterans with both qualifying Vietnam and post-9/11 service may assert both grounds.
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.
Service records confirming qualifying duty location; lymph node or tissue biopsy with histological classification; immunohistochemistry panel; flow cytometry; PET/CT staging scan; oncology treatment records.
Controlling legal authority
PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, Section 3114; 38 USC § 1120(b)(7)
Related on VeteranHQ
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: 38 CFR Part 4 rating criteriaThe percentage tiers VA applies once service connection is established, under DC 7715.
- 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 Lymphoma of Any Type (PACT Act) and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Lymphoma of Any Type (PACT Act) a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Lymphoma of Any Type (PACT Act) 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 USC § 1120(b)(7). 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 Lymphoma of Any Type (PACT Act) presumption?
Active duty service in a covered location for at least 90 days. Covers all lymphoma subtypes including Hodgkin Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-cell and T-cell), follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and cutaneous lymphomas. Service era: Post-9/11 (2001–present) or Post-Gulf War (1990–present). Service location: Southwest Asia theater of operations, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Djibouti, or other covered locations.
What evidence is still needed for a Lymphoma of Any Type (PACT Act) claim?
Service records confirming qualifying duty location; lymph node or tissue biopsy with histological classification; immunohistochemistry panel; flow cytometry; PET/CT staging scan; oncology treatment records. 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 Lymphoma of Any Type (PACT Act)?
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.