PACT Act 2022 — New Jersey Filing Guide

PACT Act Benefits for New Jersey Veterans

If you served in any era below and your service-connection criteria match, you qualify for VA disability compensation without submitting a nexus letter. Service connection is presumed. New Jersey CVSOs (County Veterans Service Officers) can file your claim for free.

How to file: Submit VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation). Include your DD-214, medical records showing the diagnosis, and proof of service in a qualifying era/location. No nexus letter required for presumptives.

View VA Form 21-526EZ → All New Jersey resources →

Free filing help — New Jersey CVSOs (top 5)

County Veterans Service Officers (usually county employees; state or regional officers in some states) help file PACT Act claims for free.

Bergen County VSO

Hackensack, NJ

(201) 336-6325

Burlington County VSO

Mount Holly, NJ

(609) 265-5008

Camden County VSO

Camden, NJ

(856) 225-5677

Essex County VSO

Newark, NJ

(973) 621-4950

Essex County Veterans Treatment Court

Newark, NJ

(973) 693-5700

Presumptive eras + conditions (sorted by claim volume)

Agent Orange (Vietnam, Korea DMZ, blue-water Navy)

Vietnam (1962-1975 in-country); Korea DMZ (1968-1971); blue-water Navy (1962-1976). Most generous list (18+ conditions).

+6 more presumptive conditions in this era →

PACT Act burn-pit / post-9/11

Post-9/11 service in Iraq/Afghanistan/SW Asia. Expanded 2022 to cover 24+ conditions including all respiratory cancers and 11+ chronic respiratory illnesses.

+12 more presumptive conditions in this era →

Camp Lejeune water contamination

Marine Corps base 1953-1987 — drinking-water contamination. 30+ cumulative days of service required. Civil suit also available under Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.

Gulf War Illness

Gulf War-era service in SW Asia theater. Covers undiagnosed multisymptom illness ("Gulf War Illness") + 9 infectious diseases.

+1 more presumptive conditions in this era →

Radiation-Exposed Veteran

Specific high-radiation missions (atomic test participation, Hiroshima occupation, gaseous diffusion plants). 21+ cancers presumptive.

+9 more presumptive conditions in this era →

New Jersey VA medical facilities (top 5)

Where to seek a Compensation & Pension exam, screening, or treatment for a presumptive condition.

VA New Jersey Health Care System

East Orange, NJ

(973) 676-1000

Lyons VA Medical Center

Lyons, NJ

(908) 647-0180

East Orange Campus of the VA New Jersey Health Care System

East Orange, NJ

Lyons Campus of the VA New Jersey Health Care System

Lyons, NJ

VA East Orange Women Veterans Health Center

East Orange, NJ

(973) 676-1000

In crisis? Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential, federally-operated. Text 838255. Chat at veteranscrisisline.net.

Sources + verification

Presumptive condition lists sourced from VA's official lists (PACT Act 2022 + 2024 hypertension expansion) and consolidated by Wounded Warriors. Always verify the most current list at va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure before filing. CVSO and VA-facility data verified against state directories and VA Lighthouse Facilities API on a rolling cadence.