FWD Assist HQ
Companion Toolkit

The PACT Act Playbook

How to File VA Disability Claims for Burn Pit Exposure, Toxic Chemicals, and PACT Act Presumptive Conditions

Your Toolkit Includes

Editable guides, templates, trackers, and calculators designed to be used alongside the book. Each file mirrors a concept or chapter from the guide — download what you need, fill it in, and build your claim package at your own pace.

The PACT Act Playbook

FWD Assist Publishing

Built by Joshua Christopherson. VA disability claims educator. Air Force and Air National Guard disabled veteran with hands-on VSO experience.

Get the one-page PACT Act master checklist.

Free printable PDF that distills this toolkit into one page you can take to your next appointment.

No sales calls. Unsubscribe any time.

About This Topic

A complete guide to the VA benefits expanded under the PACT Act of 2022, including the burn pit presumptive conditions, Agent Orange expansions, radiation presumptives, and the new toxic exposure screening process. Covers who qualifies, which conditions are now presumptive, and how to file claims under the new rules.

What the Book Covers

Key topics and takeaways from The PACT Act Playbook:

Which conditions are now presumptive under the PACT Act
Who qualifies for PACT Act benefits
How to document toxic exposure for your claim
How to file claims that take full advantage of the new law

Who This Is For

  • Veterans exposed to burn pits in Southwest Asia
  • Vietnam-era veterans affected by Agent Orange
  • Veterans exposed to radiation or other toxic hazards
  • Anyone who wants to understand the PACT Act presumptive conditions

Download the Entire Toolkit

All 27 files in one zip · 0.3 MB

Download All (.zip)

Companion Toolkit

27 files for The PACT Act Playbook — Organized by when you need them in the claims process.

Assessment & Preparation

8 files

Back Pay Calculator

Calculate potential retroactive pay based on rating and effective date

7 KB

Burn Pit Claim Builder

Document burn pit exposure for presumptive PACT Act claims

11 KB

Family Presumptive Benefits Guide

Guide to presumptive benefits available to families of toxic-exposed veterans

11 KB

PACT Act Eligibility Checker

Check your toxic exposure history against PACT Act presumptive condition lists

8 KB

PACT Act Master Checklist

Complete checklist for PACT Act claims including burn pit and toxic exposure

11 KB

Presumptive Conditions Database

Database of all PACT Act presumptive conditions with exposure links

7 KB

VA Combined Rating Calculator

Calculate your combined VA disability rating using VA math

12 KB

VA Forms Quick Reference

Quick-reference guide to the VA forms used at each stage of a claim

11 KB

Evidence Building

12 files

Agent Orange Claim Builder

Build a claim for Agent Orange presumptive conditions with required evidence

11 KB

C&P Exam Preparation Guide PACT

Step-by-step preparation guide for the C&P examination

11 KB

C-File Request Guide Tracker

Request and track your VA C-File to verify what evidence VA already has

10 KB

Condition Specific Evidence Strategies

Evidence strategies tailored to specific condition types and diagnostic codes

11 KB

Medical Appointment Log

Track every medical appointment, provider, and what was discussed

11 KB

Nexus Letter Builder

Draft a nexus letter using the three-element framework VA raters look for

39 KB

PACT Supplemental Claim Kit

Complete kit for filing a supplemental claim with new evidence

11 KB

Radiation Exposure Claim Builder

Build a radiation exposure claim using PACT Act presumptive pathways

11 KB

README

Quick-start guide to the PACT Act toolkit and how to use each file

10 KB

Secondary Claims Builder

Build secondary service-connection claims linked to your primary conditions

9 KB

Service Location Verification Master

Verify service locations against PACT Act toxic exposure site registries

6 KB

Symptom Function Log

Log daily symptoms and functional limitations with dates and severity

13 KB

Statements & Letters

2 files

Buddy Statement Builder

Guide a buddy through writing a lay statement that supports your claim

39 KB

Personal Statement Builder

Write a personal statement that maps symptoms to the VA rating criteria

11 KB

Filing & Submission

1 file

PACT Act Filing Guide

File a PACT Act claim using the presumptive condition pathway

11 KB

Tracking & Monitoring

3 files

Claims Master Tracker

Track every claim, rating, effective date, and status in one master spreadsheet

11 KB

Deadline Date Tracker

Log every VA deadline and window so nothing expires unnoticed

9 KB

Decision Letter Decoder

Break down a VA decision letter line by line to find errors and next steps

12 KB

Appeals & Reviews

1 file

PACT Appeals Strategy Guide

Map your appeal options under the AMA and choose the right lane

11 KB

How to Use This Toolkit

Every file is yours to keep. The Word documents (.docx) are your guides, templates, and letter builders — open them, fill in your information, and use them with your claim. The spreadsheets (.xlsx) are your trackers and calculators — they include real formulas that do the math for you. Save them to your computer and update them as your situation changes.

Back to Book Details

Related Topics

Win Your VA Disability Claim

The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Filing, Evidence, and Getting the VA Rating You've Earned

VA Secondary Claims Manual

How to Claim VA Disability for Conditions Caused or Aggravated by Your Service-Connected Injuries

VA Claims for Guard and Reserve

How Duty Status Unlocks the Benefits You Earned

Disclaimer: FWD Assist HQ and FWD Assist Publishing provide educational resources only. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice, medical advice, or accredited representation. Always consult with an accredited VA attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Officer for personalized guidance.