What Are the Presumptive Conditions for Prisoner of War (POW) Veterans?

ByQuinn Bateman
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Did you know that veterans who were prisoners of war (POW) are eligible for disability benefits based on presumptive conditions? Presumptive conditions are illnesses or medical conditions that are assumed to be service connected based on when and where a veteran served — including veterans who were held captive as prisoners of war. Veterans unfamiliar with presumptive conditions may be asking — what are the presumptive conditions for POW veterans? We may be able to answer your questions at VA Benefits Attorneys.

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Guide to VA Disability Benefits for Prisoners of War

Veterans who are held as prisoners of war — in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other theater of operations — may be eligible for disability compensation due to illnesses or injuries that affect the body or mind and were sustained while in captivity as long as they meet the service requirements. The injuries, illnesses, and conditions covered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for POWs are considered presumptive and are based on multiple medical studies based on the long-term effects of captivity, deprivation, trauma and other injuries.

READ MORE: What Are 3 New VA Presumptive Conditions?

Who Is Eligible for Prisoner of War VA Disability Benefits?

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To be eligible for VA disability benefits POWs must have a current injury, illness, or medical condition that affects the mind or body and must meet two additional criteria. Here is a closer look at the additional criteria prisoner of war veterans with presumptive conditions must meet to receive VA benefits.

  • The veteran must have an illness or medical condition that can be connected to the veteran’s time as a prisoner of war and
  • The veteran must have received a 10% disability rating or higher at any time after active-duty service based on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating system.

List of Presumptive Conditions for Prisoner of War Veterans

The presumptive conditions covered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who were held as prisoners of war include medical conditions that affect the body and the mind. These presumptive conditions are separated by medical conditions for veterans who were held captive for any length of time and for veterans who were held captive for 30 days or more.

Presumptive Conditions for Veterans Captive for Any Length of Time

  • Osteoporosis
  • Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis
  • Stroke – or Medical Issues Caused by a Stroke
  • Hypertensive Vascular Disease
  • Neuropsychiatric Conditions
  • Psychosis
  • Dysthymic Disorder
  • Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Presumptive Conditions for Veterans Captive for 30 Days or More

  • Osteoporosis
  • Helminthiasis
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Peptic Ulcer Disease
  • Chronic Dysentery
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Cirrhosis of the Liver
  • Avitaminosis
  • Beriberi and Beriberi Heart Disease
  • Malnutrition and Optic Atrophy
  • Pellagra

READ MORE: How Long Does a Presumptive VA Claim Take?  

You may not have known that veterans who were held as prisoners of war are eligible for specific VA disability benefits for presumptive conditions related to their captivity. If you are just learning about this, you may be asking — what are the presumptive conditions for prisoner of war veterans? We have got you covered at VA Benefits Attorneys.

Contact VA Benefits Attorneys today for a FREE case review!