Federal · Title 38 — Veterans’ Benefits
38 U.S.C. § 1120: Presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to burn pits and other toxins
Read the full statutory text
For the purposes of section 1110 of this title , and subject to section 1113 of this title , a disease specified in subsection (b) becoming manifest in a covered veteran shall be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated during active military, naval, air, or space service, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such service. Asthma that was diagnosed after service of the covered veteran as specified in subsection (c). Head cancer of any type. Neck cancer of any type. Respiratory cancer of any type. Gastrointestinal cancer of any type. Reproductive cancer of any type. Lymphoma cancer of any type. Kidney cancer. Brain cancer. Melanoma. Pancreatic cancer. Chronic bronchitis. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis. Emphysema. Granulomatous disease. Interstitial lung disease. Pleuritis. Pulmonary fibrosis. Sarcoidosis. Chronic sinusitis. Chronic rhinitis. Glioblastoma. Any other disease for which the Secretary determines, pursuant to regulations prescribed under subchapter VII that a presumption of service connection is warranted based on a positive association with a substance, chemical, or airborne hazard identified in the list under section 1119(b)(2) of this title . In this section, the term “covered veteran” has the meaning given that term in section 1119(c) of this title . terminally ill; homeless; under extreme financial hardship; more than 85 years old; or capable of demonstrating other sufficient cause. On the date of the enactment of this Act for everyone not described in paragraph (1), with respect to paragraphs (1), (2)(C), (2)(I) [now (2)(H)], (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), and (14), of section 1120(b) of title 38 , United States Code, as added by subsection (b). On October 1, 2023 , for everyone not described in paragraph (1), with respect to paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 1120(b) of such title, as so added. On October 1, 2024 , for everyone not described in paragraph (1), with respect to subparagraphs (A), (B), (D), (E), (F), [former] (G), and (K) [now (J)] of section 1120(b)(2) of such title, as so added. On October 1, 2025 , for everyone not described in paragraph (1), with respect to subparagraphs (H) [now (G)] and (J) [now (I)] of section 1120(b)(2) of such title, as so added.”
Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text
Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.
MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.