If you are a Former Prisoner of War, you may qualify for Presumptive Disability Benefits if you are diagnosed with the following:
(Click on a diagnosis for more information)
Anxiety can be normal in stressful situations such as public speaking or taking a test. Anxiety is only an indicator of underlying disease when feelings become excessive, all-consuming, and interfere with daily living.
More information
More information
A mild but long-term form of depression. Described as a low mood occurring for at least two years, along with at least two other symptoms of depression.
More information
Symptoms:
- Lost interest in normal activities
- Hopelessness
- Low self-esteem
- Low appetite
- Low energy
- Sleep changes
- Poor concentration
Treatment:
- Medication
- Talk therapy
More information
Heart conditions are caused by high blood pressure. Heart failure, thickening of the heart muscle, coronary artery disease, and other conditions.
More information
Symptoms:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Tightness or pressure in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Pain in the neck, back, arms, or shoulders
- Persistent cough
- Loss of appetite
- Leg or ankle swelling
Treatment:
- Medication
- Surgery and devices
More information
A condition in which skin and the tissue just below the skin freeze. Frostbite mostly affects small, exposed body parts such as fingers and toes. With frostbite, the skin gets very cold, then numb, hard, and pale.
More information
Symptoms:
- Skin gets very cold, then numb, hard, and pale
Treatment:
- Mild cases can be treated with gradual warming
- Severe cases require medical care to prevent complications
More information
A form of arthritis that is caused by physical injury of any kind to a joint
More information
Symptoms:
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Fluid accumulation in the joint
- Decreased tolerance for walking, sports, stairs, and other activities that stress the joint
Treatment:
- Weight loss
- Low impact exercise
- Medication
- Surgery
More information
A mental disorder characterized by a disconnection from reality. The person with the condition usually isn’t aware of their behavior.
More information
Symptoms:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Talking incoherently
- Agitation
Treatment:
- Medication
- Talk therapy
More information
Damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply.
More information
Symptoms:
- Trouble walking, speaking, and understanding
- Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
Treatment:
- Medication
More information
Imprisoned for at least 30 days:
A disease in which the body doesn’t have enough vitamin B-1. Beriberi is usually caused by poor diet or alcoholism.
More information
Symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Pain in the limbs
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen feet or legs
Treatment:
- B-1 supplements and eating more B-1-rich foods, such as whole-grain cereals, beans, and beef
More information
Inflammation of the intestines accompanied by bloody diarrhea. Most often caused by shigella bacteria (shigellosis) or an amoeba. Dysentery is often spread through contaminated food or water.
More information
Symptoms:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Cramps
- Fever
- Malaise
Treatment:
- Increased fluid intake
- Rehydration solutions
- IV fluids
- Antibiotics
More information
Chronic liver damage from a variety of causes leading to scarring and liver failure. Hepatitis and chronic alcohol abuse are frequent causes. Liver damage caused by cirrhosis can’t be undone, but further damage can be limited.
More information
Symptoms:
- Fatigue, weakness
- Weight loss
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Abdominal swelling
- Confusion
Treatment:
- Focus on the underlying cause
- Liver transplant may be needed
More information
Any macro parasitic disease of humans and other animals in which a part of the body is infected with parasitic worms, known as helminths. There are numerous species of these parasites, which are broadly classified into tapeworms, flukes, and roundworms.
More information
Symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- General malaise and weakness
- Impaired cognitive and physical development
- Chronic intestinal blood loss
Treatment:
- Depends on what type of parasitic worm
- Medicine
More information
An intestinal disorder causing pain in the belly, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
More information
Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Treatment:
- Managing diet, lifestyle, and stress
- Medication
- Counseling
More information
Malnutrition occurs when the body doesn’t get enough nutrients. Causes include a poor diet, digestive conditions, or another disease.
More information
Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Weight loss
- Physical or mental disability
Treatment:
- Replace missing nutrients
More information
A disease that occurs when a person does not get enough niacin (one of the B complex vitamins) or tryptophan (an amino acid).
More information
Symptoms:
- Dermatitis
- Dementia
- Diarrhea
- Red, flaky skin
- Areas of discoloration, ranging from red to brown
- Thick, crusty, scaly, or cracked skin
- Itchy, burning patches of skin
- Apathy
- Depression
- Confusion, irritability, or mood changes
- Headaches
- Restlessness or anxiety
- Disorientation or delusions
Treatment:
- Dietary changes
- Niacin or nicotinamide supplement
More information
A sore that develops on the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine. Ulcers occur when stomach acid damages the lining of the digestive tract. Common causes include the bacteria H. Pylori and anti-inflammatory pain relievers including aspirin.
More information
Symptoms:
- Upper abdominal pain
Treatment:
- Medication to decrease stomach acid production.
- If bacteria are the cause, antibiotics may be needed.
More information
Weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage, usually in the hands and feet. A common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, but it can also result from injuries, infections, and exposure to toxins.
More information
Symptoms:
- Pain
- A pins-and-needles sensation
- Numbness
- Weakness
Treatment:
- Antidepressants like amitriptyline
- Pain medications like oxycodone
- Anti-seizure medications
- Pain-relieving creams
More information
Anxiety can be normal in stressful situations such as public speaking or taking a test. Anxiety is only an indicator of underlying disease when feelings become excessive, all-consuming, and interfere with daily living.
More information
More information
A mild but long-term form of depression. Described as a low mood occurring for at least two years, along with at least two other symptoms of depression.
More information
Symptoms:
- Lost interest in normal activities
- Hopelessness
- Low self-esteem
- Low appetite
- Low energy
- Sleep changes
- Poor concentration
Treatment:
- Medication
- Talk therapy
More information
Heart conditions are caused by high blood pressure. Heart failure, thickening of the heart muscle, coronary artery disease, and other conditions.
More information
Symptoms:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Tightness or pressure in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Pain in the neck, back, arms, or shoulders
- Persistent cough
- Loss of appetite
- Leg or ankle swelling
Treatment:
- Medication
- Surgery and devices
More information
A condition in which skin and the tissue just below the skin freeze. Frostbite mostly affects small, exposed body parts such as fingers and toes. With frostbite, the skin gets very cold, then numb, hard, and pale.
More information
Symptoms:
- Skin gets very cold, then numb, hard, and pale
Treatment:
- Mild cases can be treated with gradual warming
- Severe cases require medical care to prevent complications
More information
A form of arthritis that is caused by physical injury of any kind to a joint
More information
Symptoms:
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Fluid accumulation in the joint
- Decreased tolerance for walking, sports, stairs, and other activities that stress the joint
Treatment:
- Weight loss
- Low impact exercise
- Medication
- Surgery
More information
A mental disorder characterized by a disconnection from reality. The person with the condition usually isn’t aware of their behavior.
More information
Symptoms:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Talking incoherently
- Agitation
Treatment:
- Medication
- Talk therapy
More information
Damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply.
More information
Symptoms:
- Trouble walking, speaking, and understanding
- Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
Treatment:
- Medication
More information
Imprisoned for at least 30 days:
A disease in which the body doesn’t have enough vitamin B-1. Beriberi is usually caused by poor diet or alcoholism.
More information
Symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Pain in the limbs
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen feet or legs
Treatment:
- B-1 supplements and eating more B-1-rich foods, such as whole-grain cereals, beans, and beef
More information
Inflammation of the intestines accompanied by bloody diarrhea. Most often caused by shigella bacteria (shigellosis) or an amoeba. Dysentery is often spread through contaminated food or water.
More information
Symptoms:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Cramps
- Fever
- Malaise
Treatment:
- Increased fluid intake
- Rehydration solutions
- IV fluids
- Antibiotics
More information
Chronic liver damage from a variety of causes leading to scarring and liver failure. Hepatitis and chronic alcohol abuse are frequent causes. Liver damage caused by cirrhosis can’t be undone, but further damage can be limited.
More information
Symptoms:
- Fatigue, weakness
- Weight loss
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Abdominal swelling
- Confusion
Treatment:
- Focus on the underlying cause
- Liver transplant may be needed
More information
Any macro parasitic disease of humans and other animals in which a part of the body is infected with parasitic worms, known as helminths. There are numerous species of these parasites, which are broadly classified into tapeworms, flukes, and roundworms.
More information
Symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- General malaise and weakness
- Impaired cognitive and physical development
- Chronic intestinal blood loss
Treatment:
- Depends on what type of parasitic worm
- Medicine
More information
An intestinal disorder causing pain in the belly, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
More information
Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Treatment:
- Managing diet, lifestyle, and stress
- Medication
- Counseling
More information
Malnutrition occurs when the body doesn’t get enough nutrients. Causes include a poor diet, digestive conditions, or another disease.
More information
Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Weight loss
- Physical or mental disability
Treatment:
- Replace missing nutrients
More information
A disease that occurs when a person does not get enough niacin (one of the B complex vitamins) or tryptophan (an amino acid).
More information
Symptoms:
- Dermatitis
- Dementia
- Diarrhea
- Red, flaky skin
- Areas of discoloration, ranging from red to brown
- Thick, crusty, scaly, or cracked skin
- Itchy, burning patches of skin
- Apathy
- Depression
- Confusion, irritability, or mood changes
- Headaches
- Restlessness or anxiety
- Disorientation or delusions
Treatment:
- Dietary changes
- Niacin or nicotinamide supplement
More information
A sore that develops on the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine. Ulcers occur when stomach acid damages the lining of the digestive tract. Common causes include the bacteria H. Pylori and anti-inflammatory pain relievers including aspirin.
More information
Symptoms:
- Upper abdominal pain
Treatment:
- Medication to decrease stomach acid production.
- If bacteria are the cause, antibiotics may be needed.
More information
Weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage, usually in the hands and feet. A common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, but it can also result from injuries, infections, and exposure to toxins.
More information
Symptoms:
- Pain
- A pins-and-needles sensation
- Numbness
- Weakness
Treatment:
- Antidepressants like amitriptyline
- Pain medications like oxycodone
- Anti-seizure medications
- Pain-relieving creams
More information
Presumptive Conditions:
Click on the group you fall under to see if you qualify for benefits.
How To Get Presumptive Disability Benefits
We hope this guide provides a better understanding of what the Presumptive Conditions for Former Prisoners of War are. If you served in an area that may have caused disability, you might be entitled to compensation. File a presumptive claim to get the benefits you deserve.
If you or a Veteran you know needs help to develop a claim strategy, Contact Veteran Ratings. Veteran Ratings has a 95% chance of success in acquiring the rating and benefits you deserve.
Have a question? On the fence? Contact us for more information. We are here for you — we proudly serve those who served. Veterans are our only priority because they made this the land of the free through their bravery and sacrifice.
What Are Presumptive Conditions?
To understand what Presumptive Conditions are, you should know the limits the Department of Veterans Affairs places on Veterans. The VA has strict rules that limit whether or not a Veteran receives disability compensation. All disabilities must have a proven and clear connection to your time in service. Therefore, if you can not provide proof, the VA will deny your disability claim.
However, depending on your period of service, deployment history, and disability, you may qualify for automatic compensation. According to the VA, this means you may be eligible to receive Presumptive Disability Benefits because they presume that specific disabilities were a direct result of military service. To clarify, there is no need to provide any proof that a particular disability is service-connected, and it does not need to appear in your service medical records.
Even if these Presumptive Conditions appear after your time in the military, you are still entitled to compensation. For some (but not all) of these disabilities, symptoms must occur within one year after your military discharge. In addition, you must have served for a minimum of 90 days, and a VA disability rating of at least 10%.
Get The Benefits You Deserve
contact one of our consultants today for a free evaluation of your VA claim
learn more*Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this guide are for informational purposes only. Veteran Ratings makes no promises, warranties, or guarantees regarding potential client results. Link to full disclaimer.