Former POW Benefits

If you were held as a POW for any length of time — even a single day — the following conditions are presumptively service-connected. You do not need to prove they were caused by military service:

• Psychosis
• Any of the anxiety states (including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder)
• Dysthymic disorder (persistent depressive disorder)
• Lasting damage from frostbite
• Atherosclerotic heart disease or hypertensive vascular disease (including hypertensive heart disease) and their complications (including myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia)
• Stroke and stroke-related complications
• Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis (if claim filed on or after October 10, 2008, AND you have a PTSD diagnosis)

If you were held as a POW for 30 or more days, these additional conditions are also presumptively service-connected:

• Peptic ulcer disease
• Chronic dysentery
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Helminthiasis (parasitic worm infection)
• Peripheral neuropathy (except when directly related to an infectious illness)
• Osteoporosis (NO PTSD diagnosis required for 30+ day POWs)
• Avitaminosis (vitamin deficiency)
• Beriberi (including beriberi heart disease)
• Malnutrition (including optic atrophy connected to malnutrition)
• Pellagra
• Any other nutritional deficiency

Healthcare Priority

• With service-connected disability: Eligible for VA hospital, nursing home, and outpatient treatment
• Without service-connected disability: Eligible for VA hospital and nursing home care without regard to ability to pay, and outpatient care on a priority basis (second only to service-connected veterans)

Additional Benefits

• Priority processing for VA disability claims
• Dental care eligibility
• VA Former Prisoner of War Program at VA medical centers — specialized evaluation and care
• Each VA Regional Office has a Former POW Veterans Outreach Coordinator

The full list of presumptive conditions for former POWs is codified in 38 CFR §3.309(c). Below is a consolidated reference organized by captivity duration.

Key distinction: Osteoporosis appears in both categories. For captivity of any duration, a PTSD diagnosis is required and the claim must be filed on or after October 10, 2008. For 30+ days of captivity, no PTSD diagnosis is needed.

Former POWs receive several benefits beyond disability compensation. These are authorized under various sections of Title 38 USC and VA policy directives.

Healthcare

• Priority Group 3 enrollment: Former POWs are placed in Priority Group 3 for VA healthcare enrollment, which provides access to the full range of VA medical services with lower or no copays
• Dental care: Former POWs who were detained for any period are eligible for VA outpatient dental treatment per 38 USC §1712(a)(1)(F)
• Specialized POW health programs: VA medical centers operate Former Prisoner of War evaluation programs providing comprehensive medical and psychological assessments tailored to captivity-related conditions

Recognition & Support

• POW Medal: Authorized by Congress in 1985, awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces taken prisoner during armed conflict. Apply through the National Personnel Records Center or your branch's awards office
• Former POW Advisory Committee: A VA advisory committee that advises the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on benefits and services for former POWs. Former POWs can submit input through this committee
• Former POW Outreach Coordinators: Each VA Regional Office has a designated coordinator to help former POWs navigate benefits and claims

Travel Benefits

• Space-Available (Space-A) flights: Space-A travel on military aircraft is available to veterans rated 100% permanent and total (P&T) — not based on POW status alone. Many former POWs qualify through their disability ratings. See our travel benefits page for details.

How to Verify POW Status

POW status is documented in your military service records (DD-214 or equivalent). If your records do not reflect your POW status, contact the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to request a correction. The VA can also verify POW status through Department of Defense records. Having POW status properly documented streamlines all benefit applications.

Former POW claims benefit from a significantly simplified process compared to standard disability claims. Under 38 CFR §3.309(c), presumptive service connection means you do not need a nexus letter or medical opinion linking your condition to service — you only need to show you have the condition and that you were a POW.

What You Need to File

1. VA Form 21-526EZ — the standard disability compensation application (file online at VA.gov or by mail)
2. POW documentation — your DD-214 or service records showing POW status, dates of capture, and duration of captivity
3. Current medical evidence — treatment records, diagnosis, or a recent medical exam showing you have the claimed condition. While the VA will schedule a C&P exam, submitting your own medical evidence can strengthen and speed up the claim.

Why POW Claims Are Simpler

• No nexus needed: For presumptive conditions, the VA does not require proof that captivity caused the condition — only that the condition exists and is at least 10% disabling
• Priority processing: Former POW claims are flagged for expedited review at the VA Regional Office
• Lower evidence burden: The VA applies a "benefit of the doubt" standard (38 USC §5107(b)), and the presumptive framework means less documentation is needed to establish the claim

Getting Help

Contact the Former POW Veterans Outreach Coordinator at your VA Regional Office — they specialize in POW-related claims and can guide you through the process. Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and ask to be connected. You can also work with a Veterans Service Organization or an accredited claims agent at no cost.

1. File a disability claim (VA Form 21-526EZ) with VA referencing your POW status
2. Your service records should document your POW status — if not, provide any available documentation
3. Contact the Former POW Veterans Outreach Coordinator at your VA Regional Office for assistance

Contact: VA at 1-800-827-1000 | va.gov/disability

Forms for This Topic

The official VA forms relevant to this page, in one place. Select a form to view, download, or add it to your report.

• VA Form 21-526EZ — Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation BenefitsUse VA Form 21-526EZ when you want to apply for VA disability compensation (pay) and related benefits.