Free — no sign-up needed · Presumptive service connection
VA Presumptive Conditions
Search 109 conditions across 7 exposure categories. If your condition is on this list and you have qualifying service, the VA presumes service connection — you don't need to prove an in-service event.
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For a presumptive condition, the VA presumes it's connected to service — you don't have to prove what happened in service, and you usually don't need a nexus letter. To complete the claim, you'll just need a current diagnosis from a doctor.
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All 109 conditions, grouped by exposure category.
115 total presumptive conditions across 7 exposure categories
Qualifying service: You may qualify if you served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975; in the Korean DMZ between September 1, 1967 and August 31, 1971; in Thailand at a U.S. or Royal Thai Air Force base between January 9, 1962 and June 30, 1976; or as a C-123 aircraft crew member between 1969 and 1986.
VA.gov referenceIschemic Heart Disease
Includes coronary artery disease, angina, and other forms of ischemic heart disease.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Also known as adult-onset diabetes.
Parkinson's Disease
AL Amyloidosis
A rare disease caused when an abnormal protein builds up in organs and interferes with normal function.
Bladder Cancer
Chronic B-cell Leukemias
Includes hairy cell leukemia and other chronic B-cell leukemias.
Chloracne (or Similar Acneform Disease)
Must have appeared within 1 year of exposure to a degree of at least 10% disabling.
Hodgkin's Disease
Multiple Myeloma
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Must have appeared within 1 year of exposure to a degree of at least 10% disabling.
Prostate Cancer
Respiratory Cancers
Includes cancers of the lung, bronchus, larynx, and trachea.
Soft-Tissue Sarcomas
Other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma.
Early-Onset Peripheral Neuropathy
Must have appeared within 1 year of exposure and resolved within 2 years of onset. Entitlement to compensation based on any current disability.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Added to the Agent Orange presumptive list by the PACT Act (2022). One of the most common conditions among Vietnam-era veterans.
Hypothyroidism
Parkinsonism
Parkinson-like symptoms without a Parkinson's disease diagnosis — a separate presumptive from Parkinson's itself.
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)
Added to the Agent Orange presumptive list by the PACT Act (2022).
Qualifying service: You may qualify if you served in Southwest Asia — including Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, or the airspace above these locations — at any time after August 2, 1990. Service in Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan may also qualify.
VA.gov referenceUndiagnosed Illness — Chronic Fatigue
Qualifying undiagnosed illnesses must be at least 10% disabling and appeared during active duty or by December 31, 2026.
Undiagnosed Illness — Headaches
Undiagnosed Illness — Joint Pain
Undiagnosed Illness — Neurological Symptoms
Includes signs and symptoms involving the nervous system such as unexplained pain.
Undiagnosed Illness — Skin Conditions
Undiagnosed Illness — Respiratory Issues
Undiagnosed Illness — Sleep Disorders
Undiagnosed Illness — Gastrointestinal Disorders
Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI)
A condition with a cluster of signs and symptoms — such as fatigue, pain, cognitive and mood symptoms — that occurred without clear cause.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Functional gastrointestinal disorder.
Functional Dyspepsia
Functional gastrointestinal disorder; must be at least 10% disabling.
Brucellosis
Infectious disease; must have been active in-theater.
Campylobacter Jejuni
Infectious disease acquired in-theater.
Q Fever (Coxiella Burnetii)
Infectious disease acquired in-theater.
Malaria
Infectious disease; must have been contracted during qualifying service.
Tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis acquired during qualifying Gulf War service.
Salmonella
Infectious disease acquired in-theater.
Shigella
Infectious disease acquired in-theater.
Visceral Leishmaniasis
Infectious disease; also known as kala-azar.
West Nile Virus
Infectious disease acquired during qualifying service.
Qualifying service: You may qualify if you served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations — Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and the surrounding waters and airspace — at any time on or after August 2, 1990, or in Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti or Uzbekistan on or after September 19, 2001 (38 C.F.R. § 3.320(a)(5)). Desert Shield and Desert Storm service counts. The PACT Act (Public Law 117-168, signed August 2022) significantly expanded presumptive coverage for veterans exposed to burn pits, airborne hazards, and other toxic substances.
VA.gov referenceAny Cancer — Head
Under the PACT Act, all cancers listed below are presumptive for eligible veterans. Diagnosis must have occurred after service.
Any Cancer — Neck
Any Respiratory Cancer
Includes lung, bronchus, larynx, and trachea cancers.
Any Reproductive Cancer
Any Urinary Tract Cancer
Includes kidney, bladder, ureter, and urethra.
Lymphatic Cancer / Lymphoma
Melanoma
Any Malignancy
The PACT Act creates a broad presumption for any active malignancy in eligible veterans. VA will evaluate each case individually.
Brain Cancer
Glioblastoma
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type is presumptive under the PACT Act.
Pancreatic Cancer
Hematologic Cancer
Hematologic and lymphatic cancers of any type are presumptive under the PACT Act.
Constrictive Bronchiolitis
Rare, serious lung disease associated with burn pit and airborne hazard exposure.
Obliterative Bronchiolitis
Also called bronchiolitis obliterans; associated with toxic inhalation.
Constrictive Pericarditis
Associated with toxic exposure in qualifying locations.
Asthma
Presumptive when diagnosed AFTER separation from qualifying service.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Rhinitis
Chronic Sinusitis
Emphysema
Granulomatous Disease
Interstitial Lung Disease
Also abbreviated ILD.
Pleuritis
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
Qualifying service: You may qualify if you served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, and were exposed to contaminated drinking water.
VA.gov referenceBladder Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Includes renal cell carcinoma.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Adult Leukemia
Includes all forms of adult leukemia.
Multiple Myeloma
Parkinson's Disease
Liver Cancer
Aplastic Anemia and Other Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Neurobehavioral Effects
Health care eligibility, not a disability presumption — cognitive impairment, coordination problems.
Renal Toxicity
Health care eligibility, not a disability presumption.
Scleroderma
Health care eligibility, not a disability presumption. Also known as systemic sclerosis.
Hepatic Steatosis
Health care eligibility, not a disability presumption. Fatty liver disease.
Qualifying service: You may qualify if you participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests before 1962; were assigned to the occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan; were interned as a prisoner of war in Japan; served at gaseous diffusion plants in Paducah, KY, Portsmouth, OH, or Oak Ridge, TN; or were exposed to radiation during certain other military activities.
VA.gov referenceAll Forms of Leukemia (Except Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia)
Presumptive for veterans with qualifying radiation exposure.
Cancer of the Thyroid
Cancer of the Breast
Cancer of the Pharynx
Cancer of the Esophagus
Cancer of the Stomach
Cancer of the Small Intestine
Cancer of the Pancreas
Multiple Myeloma
Lymphatic Cancer
Cancer of the Bile Ducts
Cancer of the Gall Bladder
Cancer of the Salivary Gland
Cancer of the Urinary Tract
Includes kidney, renal pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Cancer of the Ovary
Cancer of the Bone
Cancer of the Brain
Cancer of the Colon
Cancer of the Lung
Bronchiolo-alveolar Carcinoma
Cancer of the Liver (except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated)
Qualifying service: You may qualify if you were held as a prisoner of war (POW) by any government or armed force during any conflict. POW status is confirmed through official military records.
VA.gov referencePsychosis
Includes schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.
Dysthymic Disorder
Persistent depressive disorder.
Any Anxiety Disorder
Includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
POW status satisfies the in-service stressor requirement for PTSD.
Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis
Must be at least 10% disabling.
Osteoporosis
Presumptive for female POWs associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Stroke
For veterans who were POWs for any duration.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Residuals of Frostbite
Applies to veterans who were POWs in cold climates.
Helminth Parasitic Infections
Includes residuals of intestinal parasites such as helminth infections.
Peripheral Neuropathy
For POWs held for 30 or more days.
Peptic Ulcer Disease
For POWs held for 30 or more days.
Chronic Dysentery
For POWs held for 30 or more days.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
For POWs held for 30 or more days.
Malnutrition (and Associated Conditions)
For POWs held for 30 or more days; includes avitaminosis.
Qualifying service: You may qualify if you served on active duty for 90 or more continuous days — any branch, any era, any location, no specific exposure required. Under 38 CFR 3.318, a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease) at any time after discharge is presumed service-connected. The presumption does not apply only if there is affirmative evidence that ALS was not incurred during or aggravated by service, or that it is due to the veteran's own willful misconduct.
VA.gov referenceAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Requires 90 or more days of continuous active service (38 CFR 3.318); diagnosis may come at any time after discharge. VA rates service-connected ALS at a minimum of 100% (38 CFR 4.124a).
What "presumptive" means: The VA accepts the service connection for these conditions without requiring proof of a specific in-service event — you just need qualifying service and a current diagnosis from a doctor. Because the connection is presumed, these are among the simplest claims to put together.
A reliable starting point — not the final word. This describes the VA's presumptive categories accurately, but only the VA decides your claim. For free, personalized help, a VA-accredited VSO can assist — find one near you.
Sources: 38 CFR §§ 3.307–3.309, 3.313, 3.317, 3.320; PACT Act PL 117-168 (Aug 2022); VA M21-1 V.ii.2.B and Part VIII. Data current as of June 2026.
How service connection is decided
Three things every claim has to prove.
Veterans law calls it the Caluza triangle — after Caluza v. Brown, the case that set the three elements VA looks for. Miss one corner and the claim is denied, however strong the other two are. Every claim in the app is built corner by corner, and it reads Ready to file only when all three are covered.
- 1A current disabilityMedical evidence of a current condition.Your records read for the diagnosis — or what to add if it's missing.
- 2An in-service eventMedical or lay evidence of what happened in service.Your statement, a buddy's statement, and your service records.
- 3The link between themA medical opinion that the two are connected.A medical opinion drafted from your file, for a licensed clinician to review and sign if they agree.
Most ready to file: your four pieces in — story, daily impact, diagnosis, treatment — and all three corners covered, with a signed opinion for the link.
Caluza v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 498, 506 (1995); Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163, 1167 (Fed. Cir. 2004).
All three covered
Ready
to file
On a presumptive condition, the VA presumes it's connected to service — you don't have to prove what happened in service, and you usually don't need a nexus letter. The first corner still has to be on paper: a current diagnosis from a doctor.
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