Military Campaigns & Associated Benefits

Over 33 presumptive conditions tied to burn pit and airborne hazard exposure. If you served in a qualifying location on or after Sept 11, 2001 (or Aug 2, 1990 for Gulf War–era locations) and have a listed condition, the VA presumes service connection — no nexus letter needed. Conditions include: cancers of the brain, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, head/neck, respiratory system, reproductive system, lymphatic system (lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma), plus melanoma, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, and more. Also respiratory conditions: constrictive bronchiolitis, COPD, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, pleuritis, asthma (diagnosed after service). Jan 2025 update: Added acute/chronic leukemias, myelodysplastic syndrome, myelofibrosis, urinary bladder cancer, and additional genitourinary cancers. Full Presumptive Conditions Lookup →

Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF): Afghanistan and related operations, Oct 2001–Dec 2014. Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF): Iraq, Mar 2003–Aug 2010. Iraq Campaign Medal.
Operation New Dawn (OND): Iraq, Sep 2010–Dec 2011. Iraq Campaign Medal.
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR): Iraq/Syria, Jun 2014–present. Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal.
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS): Afghanistan, Jan 2015–Aug 2021. Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Service Medal cover supporting operations worldwide.

All campaign medal holders receive 5-point veterans’ preference for federal hiring.

Enhanced VA healthcare: 10-year combat veteran eligibility, extended to all toxic-exposed veterans under PACT Act (no time limit for healthcare enrollment).
Burn Pit Registry: Self-report your exposures at VA.gov — used for ongoing research and can support future claims.
Combat Zone Tax Exclusion: Tax-free pay during deployment. If you contributed to Roth TSP during deployment, those funds grow and withdraw tax-free forever. TSP Guide →
Post-9/11 GI Bill: Full tuition, BAH, and book stipend for 36 months. Transferable to spouse and dependents. Education Benefits →

If you served in the Southwest Asia theater on or after Aug 2, 1990 and developed a chronic, unexplained illness, the VA presumes service connection. These include: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, functional gastrointestinal disorders (IBS), and any undiagnosed illness manifesting with chronic symptoms including fatigue, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular symptoms, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The illness must have appeared during service or by December 31, 2026, and be at least 10% disabling. This deadline is less than 10 months away. If you’re a Gulf War–era veteran with unexplained chronic symptoms, file now — don’t wait for the deadline to pass. Many Gulf War veterans don’t know this category exists, and the VA denies Gulf War illness claims at 3x the rate of other claims (2017 GAO report).

If diagnosed within 1 year of separation from Gulf War–era service: brucellosis, campylobacter jejuni, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), malaria, mycobacterium tuberculosis, nontyphoid salmonella, shigella, visceral leishmaniasis, and West Nile virus. Also long-term conditions without a time limit: mycobacterium tuberculosis and any listed disease with a chronic form.

All PACT Act burn pit presumptives also apply to Gulf War–era veterans who served in qualifying locations on or after Aug 2, 1990. This means a Gulf War veteran who served in Saudi Arabia in 1991 and develops kidney cancer decades later has a presumptive claim under the PACT Act.

Southwest Asia Service Medal with campaign stars for Defense of Saudi Arabia, Liberation and Defense of Kuwait. 5-point veterans’ preference. Gulf War era veterans receive enhanced VA healthcare enrollment rights and access to all Gulf War–specific research and treatment programs.

Veterans exposed to depleted uranium munitions or oil well fires during the Gulf War should enroll in the Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program and the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. Even without a current diagnosis, registration supports future claims and research.

The VA presumes service connection for an extensive list of conditions for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides. Conditions include: AL amyloidosis, bladder cancer, chronic B-cell leukemias, chloracne, type 2 diabetes, Hodgkin’s disease, hypertension (added 2022), ischemic heart disease, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS, added Jan 2025), multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, early-onset peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea), certain soft tissue sarcomas, and more. Full list →

In-country Vietnam: Served on the ground or on inland waterways between Jan 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975. Automatically presumed exposed.
Blue Water Navy: Served offshore in the waters of Vietnam. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (2019) extended the presumption of exposure to veterans who served in offshore waters, expanding eligibility to thousands who were previously denied.
Thailand: Served on or near the perimeter of Royal Thai Military Bases (U-Tapao, Korat, NKP, Ubon, Udorn, Takhli, Don Muang, Sattahip) between Feb 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. PACT Act added all Thai bases formally.
C-123 aircraft: Served on C-123 aircraft used to spray Agent Orange, even decades after Vietnam.
Guam, American Samoa, Johnston Atoll: Added by PACT Act.

The VA maintains the Agent Orange Registry — a free health exam and long-term tracking program. Enrollment is voluntary but supports future claims and provides an initial health screening at no cost. Available at any VA medical center.

If a Vietnam veteran dies from a condition on the Agent Orange presumptive list, their surviving spouse may qualify for DIC ($1,699.36/mo in 2026). Many widows and widowers don’t know this — especially if the veteran never filed a claim. The cause of death on the death certificate, combined with qualifying service dates, may be sufficient. Survivor Benefits Guide →

Vietnam Service Medal with up to 17 campaign stars (Advisory, Defense, Counteroffensive phases I–VII, Tet Counteroffensive, Consolidation I–II, Cease-Fire). Vietnam Campaign Medal (South Vietnamese award). Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (unit award). 5-point veterans’ preference.

Korean War veterans who experienced cold injury (frostbite) during the war are eligible for cold injury residuals as a presumptive condition. This includes: peripheral neuropathy, arthritis in affected areas, cold sensitivity, skin cancer in frostbite scars, squamous cell carcinoma, and other late-onset effects. The VA recognizes that cold injuries worsen over decades. If you served in Korea during the winters of 1950–1953, the VA presumes cold exposure.

Over 7,000 Americans were held as POWs during the Korean War. Former POWs receive an extensive list of presumptive conditions under 38 CFR § 3.309(c) — including PTSD, psychosis, anxiety disorders, ischemic heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, and more. Priority Group 3 healthcare. POW/MIA section →

Veterans who served along the Korean Demilitarized Zone between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971 are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides. All Agent Orange presumptive conditions apply. This is a commonly missed benefit — many veterans who served in Korea during this period don’t realize they qualify for the same conditions as Vietnam veterans.

Korean Service Medal with campaign stars (UN Defensive, UN Offensive, CCF Intervention, First/Second UN Counteroffensive, Spring Offensive, Summer-Fall 1952, Third Korean Winter, Korea Summer-Fall 1953). Korean Defense Service Medal (1954–present) for service on the peninsula after the armistice. United Nations Service Medal. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. 5-point veterans’ preference.

Veterans who participated in atmospheric nuclear testing (1945–1962) or who were part of the occupation forces in Hiroshima or Nagasaki (before July 1, 1946) are classified as “radiation-risk activity” veterans. Presumptive conditions under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) include: leukemia (except CLL), cancers of the thyroid, breast, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinary tract, bone, brain, colon, lung, ovary, multiple myeloma, lymphomas, and liver cancer (primary). This also applies to Korean War and Cold War–era veterans who participated in nuclear testing programs (Bikini Atoll, Nevada Test Site, etc.).

Over 130,000 Americans were held as POWs during WW2. All 38 CFR § 3.309(c) presumptive conditions apply. For detention of any duration: psychosis, any anxiety disorder, PTSD, dysthymic disorder, cold injury residuals, stroke, and others. For detention of 30+ days: ischemic heart disease, osteoporosis, peripheral neuropathy, peptic ulcer, and more.

Veterans who were exposed to mustard gas or Lewisite during testing or training (including classified programs where participants were not told what they were exposed to) have presumptive conditions including: chronic respiratory disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, COPD, corneal opacities, certain cancers (nasopharyngeal, laryngeal, lung, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin), and chronic skin conditions. Many of these exposures were classified for decades — veterans and their families may not have known.

If a WW2 veteran died from a condition on the presumptive list (radiation exposure, POW, mustard gas, or any SC condition), the surviving spouse may be eligible for DIC ($1,699.36/mo) even if the veteran never filed a claim. The connection can often be established through service records and the death certificate. Survivor Benefits →

WW2 Victory Medal (all who served). Theater-specific: European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (up to 19 campaign stars), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (up to 24 campaign stars), American Campaign Medal. Service-specific unit awards (Presidential Unit Citation, etc.). All WW2 veterans are eligible for the Honoring Our PACT Act provisions for healthcare enrollment regardless of prior enrollment status.

Anyone — service member, family member, or civilian — who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30+ cumulative days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 may file a claim. Presumptive conditions include: bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, aplastic anemia, and other conditions linked to contaminated drinking water (TCE, PCE, benzene, vinyl chloride). The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (2022) also allows affected individuals to file federal tort claims.

Veterans who participated in nuclear weapons testing — at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls, Nevada Test Site, Christmas Island, or other locations — qualify for the same radiation-risk presumptive conditions as WW2 atomic veterans. Also includes cleanup of Enewetak Atoll (1977–1980) and response to the Palomares, Spain nuclear accident (1966). Contact the VA Ionizing Radiation Registry for a free health screening.

Somalia (1992–1994): Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Combat veteran healthcare eligibility.
Bosnia/Kosovo (1995–present): Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, NATO Medal. Depleted uranium exposure possible.
Lebanon (1982–1984): Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Lebanon Expeditionary Medal.
Grenada (1983): Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Panama (1989–1990): Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
All campaign/expeditionary medal holders receive 5-point veterans’ preference.

Veterans across all eras who served on Navy ships, in shipyards, or in buildings with asbestos insulation may develop mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer decades later. There is no specific presumptive for asbestos, but the VA recognizes the exposure and service connection can be established through evidence of exposure + diagnosis. The latency period can be 20–50 years.