PACT Act deadlines and key dates: is there a deadline to file?

↓ Jump to the calculator

Quick answer: No. VA says the PACT Act "is here to stay," and veterans and survivors can file for benefits anytime (VA). The one PACT Act deadline people remember, Aug. 14, 2023, was the last day to get benefits backdated to the law's Aug. 10, 2022 start, and it has passed. The deadlines that still affect your money are personal: 1 year after an intent to file, and 1 year after you separate, which can move your effective date earlier. For the conditions and locations themselves, see the PACT Act presumptive conditions list.

Your PACT Act deadline calculator

PACT Act timeline (official dates)

The deadlines that still matter

1. Intent to file: 1 year

Submit an intent to file and you have 1 year to complete and file your claim (VA). If it's approved, back pay can reach your intent to file date. Starting a disability claim on VA.gov records one automatically. Details: Intent to File guide.

2. Within 1 year of separation

For a presumptive condition, VA says that in most cases, if it gets your claim within 1 year of separation, the effective date is the date you first got the illness. After that, it's the date VA got the claim or the date you first got the illness, whichever is later. For a direct claim filed within 1 year, the effective date can be as early as the day after separation (VA: effective dates).

3. The liberalizing-law rule

When a law or regulation change lets VA pay compensation, VA says the effective date may be the date of the change if it gets your claim within 1 year of the change. If the claim or review request comes more than 1 year later, the effective date may be up to 1 year before VA got the request or decided to pay (VA). The PACT Act itself was enacted Aug. 10, 2022, so for the original PACT Act presumptives that 1-year window is long closed. Check VA's page if VA adds new presumptive conditions later.

4. Still in uniform: BDD, 180 to 90 days out

VA lets you file a pre-discharge claim 180 to 90 days before you leave the military (VA). See BDD claims.

5. Survivors: DIC within 1 year

If a veteran's death happened after service and VA gets the DIC claim within 1 year of the death, the effective date is the first day of the month the veteran died. Otherwise it's the date VA got the claim (VA).

6. Toxic exposure screening: at least every 5 years

Every veteran enrolled in VA health care gets an initial toxic exposure screening and a follow-up at least once every 5 years (VA).

How to file a PACT Act claim

1. Lock your date: submit an intent to file (online, by phone at 800-827-1000, or VA Form 21-0966).
2. File: online on VA.gov (VA Form 21-526EZ), by mail, in person, or with an accredited VSO representative (VA: how to file). Can't sign in? VA.gov sign-in help.
3. Denied before? If the condition is now presumptive, file a Supplemental Claim. Don't wait for VA to contact you.
4. Already pending? VA says you don't need to do anything; it will consider the condition presumptive.
5. Questions: VA's PACT Act line is 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).

Then track it with our VA claim timeline, count back pay in VA back pay and effective dates, and see what a rating pays in the 2026 VA disability pay chart.

FAQ

Is there a deadline to file a PACT Act claim?

No. VA says the PACT Act is here to stay and veterans and survivors can file for benefits anytime. The sooner you file, the sooner your benefits can start.

Did the PACT Act deadline pass in 2023?

Only the backdating window did. Claims or intents to file submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 14, 2023 could be paid back to Aug. 10, 2022, the day the PACT Act became law. Claims filed now are still accepted; they just can't reach back to Aug. 10, 2022.

How long do I have after an intent to file?

1 year. After you notify VA of your intent to file, you have 1 year to complete and file your claim. If VA approves it, your effective date can go back to your intent to file date.

What effective date will a PACT Act presumptive claim get?

VA says that in most cases, if it gets a presumptive claim within 1 year of your separation from active service, the effective date is the date you first got the illness. If it gets the claim more than 1 year after separation, the effective date is the date it got the claim or the date you first got the illness, whichever is later.

Can I refile if VA denied my claim before the PACT Act?

Yes. If VA denied your claim in the past and now considers your condition presumptive, you can file a Supplemental Claim. You don't have to wait for VA to contact you.

Related: PACT Act presumptive conditions list · Intent to File · VA back pay and effective dates · VA claim timeline · BDD claims · 2026 VA disability pay chart · TRICARE Open Season 2026 · All vet benefit guides