DISABILITYVA program

Former Prisoner of War (POW) Benefits

Presumptive service connection for a list of conditions tied to captivity, some for any length of captivity and more for 30 days or longer, when the condition becomes at least 10 percent disabling at any time after service. Former POWs are placed in health care priority group 3.

Available to veterans with documented POW status

View on VA.gov

Step-by-step guide

What VA looks for

Former POW statusRecords showing you were forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by an enemy or foreign government, its agents, or a hostile force. VA accepts the service department finding for wartime captivity by an enemy government and decides other cases itself.
A listed condition at 10 percentAfter any length of captivity: psychosis, any anxiety state such as PTSD, dysthymic disorder, organic residuals of frostbite if you were held in cold conditions, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, atherosclerotic heart disease or hypertensive vascular disease and their complications, stroke and its complications, or osteoporosis with PTSD.
30 days or more, for the second listAfter 30 days or more of captivity, these also count: avitaminosis, beriberi, chronic dysentery, helminthiasis, malnutrition, pellagra, other nutritional deficiencies, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, peripheral neuropathy not directly from an infection, cirrhosis of the liver, and osteoporosis.

Source: 38 CFR 3.1(y) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.1(y)(1) (opens in new tab); M21-1 VIII.iv.2.A (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.309(c)(1) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.307(a)(5) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: benefits for former POWs (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.309(c)(2) (opens in new tab)

Time limits

The listed conditions count when they reach 10 percent at any time after service. The second list needs 30 days or more of captivity.

What to gather, and what it shows VA

Documents for this benefit: what each is, what it shows VA, and how VA gets it
Document	What it shows	How VA gets it	Have it?
Records of your POW status Service department records of your captivity, such as a certification of POW status, and any internment or repatriation papers you kept.	That you were a POW, where, and for how long	VA will request these for you once you file. It asks you for the details, then checks Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency lists, National Archives records, and the service department. Send copies of any papers you have to VA.
Separation papers (DD214) The record of your service dates, branch, and character of discharge.	Your service dates and branch	VA will request this for you once you file. You can also get your own copy through eVetRecs or SF180.	Yes
Your statement and statements from fellow POWs Your account of who held you, where and when, and the conditions you lived in, and statements from former fellow POWs.	The circumstances and length of captivity	Your account goes on VA Form 21-4138 and a fellow POW's on VA Form 21-10210, and both go to VA. VA gives these statements careful consideration and accepts your account of a disability from captivity unless other evidence conflicts with it.
Doctor's report of the condition A medical report, from VA or a private doctor, stating that you have a listed condition and that it is at least 10 percent disabling.	A listed condition at 10 percent	VA will request VA records once you file. For private records, send copies to VA, or complete VA Form 21-4142 and VA Form 21-4142a so VA can request them.
The former POW exam A complete exam under VA's former POW protocol, done by a VA examiner, covering each claimed condition and others common after captivity.	Your conditions now and how severe they are	VA orders it once your POW status is confirmed, even with no medical records on file, and VA does not deny a former POW monetary benefits without first offering a complete VA exam.

Records and statements go to VA. BeneVets never asks you to upload or type them here.

Steps, in order

Set your start date
Submit an intent to file on VA Form 21-0966, by phone, or by starting the online application. You then have 1 year to file the full claim, and VA treats a complete claim filed in that year as filed on the intent to file date.
Source: 38 CFR 3.155(b) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: your intent to file (opens in new tab); VA Form 21-0966 (opens in new tab)
Get free help from a VSO
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)
Gather what shows your captivity
Collect any papers about your captivity, and note who held you, the places and dates, and the names of fellow POWs who can give statements. VA asks for these details and searches service department and archive records itself. Keep the notes with your papers; BeneVets does not ask for them.
Source: M21-1 VIII.iv.2.C (opens in new tab); VA.gov: benefits for former POWs (opens in new tab)
File your claim
File VA Form 21-526EZ and list each condition. Include any documents that confirm your time as a POW, and a doctor's report of each condition at 10 percent or more if you have one.
Source: VA Form 21-526EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: benefits for former POWs (opens in new tab)
Go to the former POW exam
Once VA confirms your POW status, it schedules an exam with a VA examiner under its former POW protocol. VA mails you VA Form 10-0048, Former POW Medical History, to complete and bring to the exam.
Source: M21-1 VIII.iv.2.C (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA claim exam (opens in new tab)
Enroll in VA health care
Former POWs are in VA health care priority group 3, and dental Class IIC covers any needed outpatient dental treatment. Apply for VA health care on VA Form 10-10EZ to use them.
Source: 38 CFR 17.36(b)(3) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.161(e) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA health care priority groups (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA dental care (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab)

Good to know

No record during service needed

For the listed conditions, VA does not need a record of the condition during service, and gaps in service treatment records do not decide the claim. VA gives special attention to conditions first reported after service.

Source: 38 CFR 3.309(c)(1) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.304(e) (opens in new tab); M21-1 VIII.iv.2.D (opens in new tab)

Any length of service

The 90-day service rule for chronic diseases does not apply to the former POW presumptions. Any period of service is enough.

Source: 38 CFR 3.307(a)(1) (opens in new tab)

PTSD from captivity

For PTSD tied to your POW experience, your own account can establish the stressful event when it fits the circumstances of your service and no clear and convincing evidence shows otherwise.

Source: 38 CFR 3.304(f)(4) (opens in new tab)

Part of a regular compensation claim

This is the presumptive route of a VA disability compensation claim on VA Form 21-526EZ. The disability compensation chapter covers the rest, including conditions not on these lists and decision reviews.

Source: VA Form 21-526EZ (opens in new tab); M21-1 V.ii.2.B (opens in new tab)

BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you