New POW Presumptive

Cirrhosis of the liver has been added to the list of diseases for which entitlement to service connection is presumed for former prisoners of war (POWs). The intended effect is to make it easier for former POWs to obtain compensation benefits for cirrhosis based on scientific and medical research showing a higher risk of death from cirrhosis in former WWII POWs than in the general population.

This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adjudication regulations concerning presumptive service connection for certain diseases by adding to the list of POW presumptives. This became effective on July 18, 2003.