Melanoma (Malignant): VA Presumptive Condition (PACT Act)
VeteranHQ lists Melanoma (Malignant) as a presumptive condition in the PACT Act (Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards) group. The exposure it is tied to is: UV radiation, chemical carcinogens in burn pit smoke. 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)(2)(I).
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: Melanoma (Malignant)
- 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
- UV radiation, chemical carcinogens in burn pit smoke
- Effective date
- August 10, 2022
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline
- Diagnostic code
- 7833
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. Applicability under Public Law 117-168 § 406(d): August 10, 2022 for claimants for dependency and indemnity compensation and for veterans VA determines are terminally ill, homeless, under extreme financial hardship, more than 85 years old, or capable of demonstrating other sufficient cause; October 1, 2025 for everyone else.
About this presumption
Malignant melanoma is presumptively service-connected under the PACT Act. Veterans deployed to high-UV environments in Southwest Asia and exposure to certain chemical carcinogens in burn pit smoke may increase melanoma risk. Covers cutaneous melanoma (skin) and ocular melanoma.
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; dermatology or pathology report confirming malignant melanoma diagnosis with Breslow depth and Clark level if available; documentation of lesion location.
Controlling legal authority
PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, § 406(b); 38 USC § 1120(b)(2)(I)
Related on VeteranHQ
Questions About Melanoma (Malignant) and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Melanoma (Malignant) a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Melanoma (Malignant) 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)(2)(I). 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 Melanoma (Malignant) 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. Applicability under Public Law 117-168 § 406(d): August 10, 2022 for claimants for dependency and indemnity compensation and for veterans VA determines are terminally ill, homeless, under extreme financial hardship, more than 85 years old, or capable of demonstrating other sufficient cause; October 1, 2025 for everyone else. 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 Melanoma (Malignant) claim?
Service records; dermatology or pathology report confirming malignant melanoma diagnosis with Breslow depth and Clark level if available; documentation of lesion location. 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 Melanoma (Malignant)?
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.