From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs News Service

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is asking former prisoners of war not currently using VA benefits to contact VA to find out if they are eligible for disability compensation and other services.

More than 23,000 former prisoners of war (POWs) already receive compensation from VA. This year, the department mailed information about benefits to an additional 4,700 ex-POWs not on its rolls. The VA estimates that there could be as many as 11,000 more POWs for whom it does not have an address or contact information.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi said that VA has expanded policies to cover increasing numbers of former POWs as new illnesses have been found related to captivity. The administration currently is pressing to get even more compensation and medical care benefits for former POWs.

“These veterans sacrificed for their country in time of war, and it’s the nation’s turn to serve them, to help them determine if they are entitled to compensation, health care or other services,” Principi said.

Nine out of 10 former POWs are veterans of World War II, and their service predates the use of Social Security numbers as a military “service number.” That, coupled with the decades that have elapsed since their service, makes it difficult for VA to track down those who have not opened a file with VA in recent years.

The most recent expansion of VA benefits for former POW's was a July regulation that added cirrhosis of the liver to the list of diseases to which entitlement to disability compensation is presumed in former POWs.

Similar policies making it easier for former POW's to obtain compensation have been enacted for POW's detained for 30 days or more who develop specific illnesses.

Former POW's have a special eligibility for enrollment in VA medical care and are exempt from making co-payments for inpatient and outpatient medical care. They have the same co-pay rules as other veterans for medications and for extended care. Free dental treatment for any dental condition is available to former POW's held for more than 90 days.

Former POW's not receiving benefits who did not receive a VA letter recently should call the department at 1-800-827-1000. More information about VA services for former POW's is available at www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/POW/