Pancreatic Cancer: VA Presumptive Condition (PACT Act)
VeteranHQ lists Pancreatic 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, toxic chemical exposure, contaminated water and food sources. 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)(J).
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: Pancreatic Cancer
- 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
- Airborne hazards, burn pit smoke, toxic chemical exposure, contaminated water and food sources
- Effective date
- August 10, 2022
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline; file as soon as diagnosis is confirmed — pancreatic cancer is rapidly progressive
- Diagnostic code
- 7343
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. Covers pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type, as well as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) and other malignant pancreatic neoplasms. 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, 2024 for everyone else.
About this presumption
Pancreatic cancer, primarily pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is presumptively service-connected under the PACT Act for veterans with qualifying airborne hazard or toxic exposure. Nitrosamines, aromatic amines, and heavy metals present in burn pit emissions are associated with pancreatic carcinogenesis. The prognosis is typically poor and the VA should expedite these claims. Veterans diagnosed with pancreatic cancer should simultaneously file for TDIU (total disability individual unemployability) and DIC preparation if terminal.
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; CT abdomen/pelvis with contrast (pancreatic protocol); endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy confirming malignancy; CA 19-9 tumor marker levels; surgical pathology if resection performed (Whipple procedure); oncology treatment records.
Controlling legal authority
PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, § 406(b); 38 USC § 1120(b)(2)(J)
Related on VeteranHQ
- Malignant neoplasms of the digestive system, exclusive of skin growths: 38 CFR Part 4 rating criteriaThe percentage tiers VA applies once service connection is established, under DC 7343.
- 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 Pancreatic Cancer and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Pancreatic Cancer a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Pancreatic 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, § 406(b); 38 USC § 1120(b)(2)(J). 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 Pancreatic Cancer 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. Covers pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type, as well as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) and other malignant pancreatic neoplasms. 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, 2024 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 Pancreatic Cancer claim?
Service records confirming qualifying duty location; CT abdomen/pelvis with contrast (pancreatic protocol); endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy confirming malignancy; CA 19-9 tumor marker levels; surgical pathology if resection performed (Whipple procedure); 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 Pancreatic Cancer?
No statutory deadline; file as soon as diagnosis is confirmed — pancreatic cancer is rapidly progressive
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.