Former Prisoners of War (POW)

TL;DR — Quick Summary

Who qualifies: Any veteran who was a prisoner of war during military service
Two tiers: All POWs get certain presumptives; POWs held 30+ days get additional conditions
Timing: Conditions can develop at any point in your lifetime
Minimum rating: Condition must have been at least 10% disabling at some point

Congress has recognized that those who became POWs were exposed to conditions that make them more susceptible to developing certain disabilities later in life.

All Former POWs

Presumptive Conditions (Any POW)

These conditions are presumptive for ALL former POWs, regardless of length of captivity. The condition may develop at any point before death, AND must have been at least 10% disabling at some point.

Mental Health

Heart & Vascular

Musculoskeletal

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis (IF the veteran has PTSD)

Cold Injury

Organic residuals of frostbite — if interned in climatic conditions consistent with frostbite

POWs Held 30+ Days

Additional Conditions (30+ Days Captivity)

Former POWs who were held for at least 30 days qualify for these additional presumptive conditions. Same rules apply: condition may develop at any point and must have been at least 10% disabling.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Any nutritional deficiency
Avitaminosis
Beriberi (including Beriberi heart disease)
Malnutrition (including Optic atrophy associated with malnutrition)
Pellagra

Gastrointestinal

Infectious & Other

Helminthiasis
Peripheral neuropathy (except where directly related to infectious causes)
Osteoporosis (no PTSD requirement for 30+ day POWs)

Frequently Asked Questions

I was diagnosed with a listed disability but was denied. What can I do?

Sometimes the VBA makes a mistake or is missing evidence that would indicate you are an eligible veteran with a diagnosed condition. If this happens, seek assistance from a VSO to help you file an Appeal.

Additionally, you may be denied if:

Documentation shows the condition was due to willful misconduct
A supervening condition or event after separation was more likely the cause

How do I prove I was a POW?

Your POW status should be documented in your service records. The VA can obtain these records, but you can also request them from the National Personnel Records Center. Documentation may include:

DD-214 with POW notation
POW Medal citation
Service personnel records

I was held less than 30 days. Can I still claim conditions in the 30+ day list?

Those conditions won't be presumptive, but you can still file a direct service-connection claim with medical evidence linking the condition to your POW experience. You'll need a nexus opinion from a medical professional.

What about conditions that developed years after my POW experience?

That's exactly what the presumptive covers. There is no time limit for when these conditions must develop. If you were a POW and later develop a listed condition, it's presumed to be service-connected regardless of how much time has passed.

References & Official Sources

Other Presumptive Conditions

Agent Orange Agent Orange - Children Afghanistan Veterans Bad Water Burn Pits / PACT Act Camp Lejeune Cold War Veterans Combat Veterans COVID-19 Gulf War Illness Ionizing Radiation Mustard Gas & Lewisite PFAS / Firefighting Foam Project 112 / SHAD TERA (Toxic Exposure) Tropical Diseases

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