This tool provides estimates for educational purposes only. We are not accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and do not file claims, provide legal advice, or represent veterans before the VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904). For official assistance, contact a VSO, CVSO, or VA-accredited attorney.
Scenario
Post-9/11 veteran transitioning with PACT exposure
For: Service member separating with documented burn-pit or other PACT-listed exposure
A path for a Post-9/11 service member who is still in uniform and may have qualifying exposure under the PACT Act. The Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program may allow filing before separation, with a faster turnaround.
Check the BDD filing window
BDD allows a service member to file a VA claim 180 to 90 days before separation. Outside that window, the standard pre-discharge or post-separation paths apply. The transition guide explains both.
Use the PACT Act decoder
PACT-listed conditions are presumed service-connected for veterans with qualifying service in covered locations and dates. The decoder maps service era, exposure, and condition to presumptive eligibility.
Pull medical records before separation
In-service medical records are easier to gather while still on active duty than after separation. The records-request guide includes the active-duty path.
File through an accredited VSO
TAP-class VSOs and CVSOs can file the BDD claim with you. VBN does not file claims and is not accredited under 38 U.S.C. § 5904.
Tools and guides this scenario uses
Last reviewed: 2026-04-25. Scenarios are illustrative. For your own case, work with a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) or VA-accredited representative.