Prisoners of War

If you are a former prisoner of war and you have a health issue or disability from your time in imprisonment, you may be eligible for VA to find those disabilities presumptively related to your time as a POW.

You deserve compensation for your medical condition, illness, or disability from your time in imprisonment. Remember, you don’t have to suffer on your own. Let a reliable VA disability lawyer from Vetus Legal help you get fair compensation for your presumptive condition.

Contact us today to schedule a free case review.

What Is a Presumptive Condition for Prisoners of War?

A presumptive condition for a prisoner of war is an injury or illness the VA presumes is related to your service based on certain criteria.

Typically, when you apply for VA benefits, you must prove that your medical condition is connected to your service. For POWs, the VA has a list of conditions that it presumes were caused due to being a POW, without having to medically establish that the condition was caused by that service. This makes establishing entitlement to benefits much easier for those veterans.

If you’re still unsure whether your condition as a prisoner of war qualifies, consult with a VA disability lawyer.

Former Prisoner of War

The VA defines a prisoner of war as a veteran who was imprisoned during their active military service by an enemy government.

According to the VA, you may have a presumptive condition if you were a prisoner of war with a condition that is at least 10% disabling. Your condition is presumed depending on the length of your imprisonment.

If you were imprisoned for any amount of time, presumptive conditions include:

  • Psychosis
  • Any of the anxiety states
  • Dysthymic disorder (or depressive neurosis)
  • Organic residuals of frostbite
  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
  • Heart disease or hypertensive vascular disease
  • Stroke and the residual effects
  • Osteoporosis, when the Veteran has posttraumatic stress disorder

If you were imprisoned for at least 30 days, presumptive conditions include:

  • Beriberi (including beriberi heart disease)
  • Chronic dysentery
  • Helminthiasis
  • Malnutrition (including optic atrophy)
  • Pellagra
  • Other nutritional deficiencies
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Peptic ulcer disease
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Avitaminosis
  • Osteoporosis

How Can a VA Disability Lawyer Help?

If you are a former prisoner of war and you believe you have a presumptive condition, you should contact a VA disability lawyer. Your lawyer is your advocate, and they will help you get the compensation you deserve.

Your attorney’s goal is to guide you through your case. They can answer your questions, provide you with legal advice, and give you support. Your lawyer has your best interest in mind.

If you need help getting fair compensation for your service-related disabilities, contact the team at Vetus Legal. We will do what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule your free case review.