Former prisoners of war

← Presumptive Condition Checker

Who qualifies

Held as a prisoner of war. The second list applies only if you were held for 30 days or more.

• I was a prisoner of war (any length of time)38 CFR 3.309(c)(1)
• I was a prisoner of war for 30 days or more38 CFR 3.309(c)(1), (2)

Conditions VA presumes (20)

• Psychosis38 CFR 3.309(c)(1)
• Any of the anxiety states, including PTSD38 CFR 3.309(c)(1)
• Dysthymic disorder (persistent depressive disorder), also called depressive neurosis38 CFR 3.309(c)(1)
• Lasting damage from frostbite, if you were held in conditions where frostbite could happen38 CFR 3.309(c)(1)
• Post-traumatic osteoarthritis38 CFR 3.309(c)(1)
• Atherosclerotic heart disease or hypertensive vascular disease (including hypertensive heart disease), and their complications, such as a heart attack, heart failure or an irregular heartbeat38 CFR 3.309(c)(1)
• Stroke and its complications38 CFR 3.309(c)(1)
• Osteoporosis, if you have PTSD (claims on or after October 10, 2008)38 CFR 3.309(c)(1)
• Avitaminosis38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Beriberi, including beriberi heart disease38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Chronic dysentery38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Helminthiasis (worm infection)38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Malnutrition, including optic atrophy from malnutrition38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Pellagra38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Any other nutritional deficiency38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Peptic ulcer disease38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Peripheral neuropathy (except when caused directly by an infection)38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Cirrhosis of the liver38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)
• Osteoporosis (claims on or after September 28, 2009)38 CFR 3.309(c)(2)

Time limit

There is no time limit. The condition must have reached at least 10% at some point after you left active service.

You'd still need to show

• A current diagnosis of the condition from a doctor or other medical provider.
• Records that show your qualifying service, such as your DD214, orders, or unit or ship records.
• A discharge that isn't dishonorable.
• Records that show you were a prisoner of war, and for the second list, that you were held 30 days or more.

Even when a condition is on a list, VA can still decide it was caused by something else if there is evidence of that (the presumption can be rebutted).

The law: 38 U.S.C. 1112(b) · 38 CFR 3.307(a)(5) · 38 CFR 3.309(c)
On VA.gov: Disability compensation for former POWs

Regulation text current as of October 15, 2026. This is general information from a free tool, not legal or medical advice, and not a decision. Only VA decides claims.