Sarcoidosis (PACT Act): VA Presumptive Condition (PACT Act)
VeteranHQ lists Sarcoidosis (PACT Act) as a presumptive condition in the PACT Act (Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards) group. The exposure it is tied to is: Burn pit smoke, fine particulate matter, silica, organic dust, airborne antigens triggering granulomatous inflammation. 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)(11).
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: Sarcoidosis (PACT Act)
- 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, fine particulate matter, silica, organic dust, airborne antigens triggering granulomatous inflammation
- Effective date
- August 10, 2022
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline
- Diagnostic code
- 6846
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 pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis including cardiac sarcoidosis, neurosarcoidosis, ocular sarcoidosis, and skin involvement. Applicability under Public Law 117-168 § 406(d)(2): August 10, 2022 for every claimant.
About this presumption
Sarcoidosis — a systemic granulomatous inflammatory disease primarily affecting the lungs and lymph nodes — is presumptively service-connected under the PACT Act for veterans with qualifying airborne hazard exposure. Inhalation of fine particulate matter, silica, and organic antigens from burn pits and desert environments can trigger the CD4+ T-helper cell-mediated granulomatous response that characterizes sarcoidosis. The condition may affect lungs, lymph nodes, skin, eyes, heart, liver, and nervous system. Cardiac sarcoidosis and neurosarcoidosis carry serious morbidity and should be evaluated in any veteran with systemic sarcoid.
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; chest imaging (chest X-ray or CT) showing bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and/or parenchymal infiltrates; tissue biopsy showing noncaseating granulomas (transbronchial biopsy, EBUS-guided biopsy, or skin/node biopsy); serum ACE level and calcium; ophthalmology evaluation; ECG or cardiac MRI if cardiac involvement suspected.
Controlling legal authority
PACT Act of 2022, Public Law 117-168, § 406(b); 38 USC § 1120(b)(11)
Related on VeteranHQ
- Sarcoidosis: 38 CFR Part 4 rating criteriaThe percentage tiers VA applies once service connection is established, under DC 6846.
- 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 Sarcoidosis (PACT Act) and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Sarcoidosis (PACT Act) a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Sarcoidosis (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, § 406(b); 38 USC § 1120(b)(11). 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 Sarcoidosis (PACT Act) 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 pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis including cardiac sarcoidosis, neurosarcoidosis, ocular sarcoidosis, and skin involvement. 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 Sarcoidosis (PACT Act) claim?
Service records confirming qualifying duty location; chest imaging (chest X-ray or CT) showing bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and/or parenchymal infiltrates; tissue biopsy showing noncaseating granulomas (transbronchial biopsy, EBUS-guided biopsy, or skin/node biopsy); serum ACE level and calcium; ophthalmology evaluation; ECG or cardiac MRI if cardiac involvement suspected. 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 Sarcoidosis (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.