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Time Since Separation

Last updated: Mar 2, 2026

Time Since Separation Conditions

Veterans with at least 90 days continuous Active Duty service who receive a diagnosis of specific diseases within defined timeframes and achieve at least a 10% disability evaluation within those periods qualify for presumptive service-connection.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Only conditions explicitly listed qualify for presumptive service-connection under 38 CFR 3.307(a) — not all diseases diagnosed within one year.
  • Veterans may still seek service-connection for unlisted conditions through the standard claims process.
  • National Guard and Reservists with 90+ days service do NOT automatically qualify unless VA grants service-connection linked to Active Duty Training or Inactive Duty Training periods.

One Year Presumptive Conditions

The following conditions qualify for presumptive service-connection if diagnosed within one year of separation and to a degree of at least 10%:

  • Anemia (primary)
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Arthritis
  • Atrophy (progressive muscular)
  • Brain hemorrhage
  • Brain thrombosis
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Calculi (kidney/bladder/gallbladder)
  • Cardiovascular-renal disease (including Hypertension)
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Coccidioidomycosis
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Encephalitis lethargica residuals
  • Endocarditis (all valvular heart disease forms)
  • Endocrinopathies
  • Epilepsies
  • Hansen's disease
  • Hodgkin's disease
  • Leukemia
  • Lupus erythematosus (systemic)
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Myelitis
  • Myocarditis
  • Nephritis
  • Other organic diseases of the nervous system
  • Osteitis deformans (Paget's disease)
  • Osteomalacia
  • Palsy (bulbar)
  • Paralysis agitans
  • Psychoses
  • Purpura idiopathic (hemorrhagic)
  • Raynaud's disease
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Scleroderma
  • Sclerosis (amyotrophic lateral)
  • Sclerosis (multiple)
  • Syringomyelia
  • Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease)
  • Tuberculosis (active)
  • Tumors (malignant — brain/spinal cord/peripheral nerves)
  • Ulcers (peptic)

Subspecialties under "Other Organic Diseases of the Nervous System"

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Cranial nerve conditions
  • Diseases of cranial nervous system
  • Glaucoma
  • Migraine headaches
  • Peripheral nerve conditions (including Peripheral neuropathy)
  • Progressive spinal muscular atrophy
  • Sensorineural hearing loss
  • Tinnitus

Three Year Presumptive Conditions

  • Hansen's disease
  • Tuberculosis

Seven Year Presumptive Condition

  • Multiple sclerosis

Life of the Veteran Presumptive Condition

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Frequently Asked Questions

I am an eligible Veteran and I was diagnosed with a listed disability but I was denied. What can I do?

The VA may make mistakes or lack sufficient evidence. Consider seeking assistance from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) to file an Appeal. Additionally, if documentation shows a supervening condition or event after separation caused the disease, denial may result.

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