• In 2022, Congress passed the bipartisan Promise to Address Comprehensive
Toxics Act, also known as the PACT Act, which greatly expanded veteran benefits. One
major change was to make it easier for those who served in the Gulf or Horn of Africa
after August 1990 or in the Middle East or Central Asia after September 2001 to apply for
disability compensation, if they have certain cancers and other chronic illnesses.
• Breast cancer is one of the cancers that is presumed to be service-connected for veterans
who served in these locations. In 2024, the VA clarified that both men and women who
served and have breast cancer benefit from this PACT Act rule.
• But recently, the VA changed its policy by denying the easier PACT Act service
connection rules for men with breast cancer.
• Male veterans with breast cancer will now have to jump through an extra hoop and prove
that their breast cancer is connected to their military service.

• As a male breast cancer survivor I’m disappointed 
 that the VA would unfairly target men with breast cancer, who may already
be feeling stigma or isolation about their diagnosis.

• If you’re a male veteran with breast cancer, and this change has affected you, or you’re
worried that it might affect you, I’d really like to hear from you. I may be able to point
you to some resources. Please  email at:

[email protected]

Ron Rapaport

Global Lead Advocate 

https://www.malebreastcancerhappens.org

https://itsawrapwithrap.com

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