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VetAtlas

Former POW Benefits

Former prisoners of war receive enhanced VA benefits and presumptive service connection for conditions linked to captivity. You do not need to prove the military caused these conditions — only that you were held as a POW.

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and may not reflect recent changes. Always verify with the official source linked below. This is not legal, medical, or financial advice.

Presumptive Conditions — Any Length of Captivity

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
  • Anxiety disorders (including PTSD)
  • Dysthymic disorder (persistent depressive disorder)
  • Neuropsychiatric conditions
  • Lasting damage from frostbite
  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
  • Hypertensive vascular disease (including hypertensive heart disease)
  • Stroke and stroke-related complications
  • Osteoporosis (if claim filed on or after October 10, 2008, AND you have a PTSD diagnosis)

Presumptive Conditions — 30+ Days of Captivity

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 (if claim filed on or after September 28, 2009 — NO PTSD diagnosis required)
  • Avitaminosis (vitamin deficiency)
  • Beriberi (including beriberi heart disease)
  • Malnutrition (including optic atrophy connected to malnutrition)
  • Pellagra

Healthcare & Additional Benefits

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

How to File

  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