Source: https://askus.unitedspinal.org/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=2843
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 00:16:10+00:00

Document:
The law identifies certain diseases for which service connection will be rebuttably presumed for a veteran who was a prisoner of war (POW) for not less than 30 days. See 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307, 3.309(c). Conditions subject to presumptive service connection for POWs are listed under 38 U.S.C. section 1112(b)(4). However, the presumption is rebutted "[w]here there is affirmative evidence to the contrary, or evidence to establish that an intercurrent injury or disease which is a recognized cause of [such disease], has been suffered between the date of separation from service and the onset of [the] disease." 38 U.S.C. § 1113(a); see also 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(d).
Under 38 U.S.C. section 1112(b), if a veteran was a prisoner of war for 30 days or more, certain diseases, including beriberi, chronic dysentery, malnutrition, and other nutritional deficiencies will be presumed service connected if manifested to a degree of 10% anytime after military service even if there is no record of the disease in service. 38 U.S.C. § 1112(b)(3); see also 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(c)(2)(ii), ("Note" instructing that "For purposes of this section, the term beriberi heart disease includes ischemic heart disease in a former prisoner of war who had experienced localized edema [(swelling)] during captivity." 59 Fed. Reg. 35464 (1994). "Ischemic heart disease" is a synonym for "arteriosclerotic heart disease." Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 30th ed., 528. Applicable regulations expanded that presumption to apply to atherosclerotic heart disease as well. 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(c)(1). ("Atherosclerotis" is a common form of "arteriosclerotis." Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 30th ed., 172.). Presumptive service connection allows a presumption of service connection for former POWs who suffer from atherosclerotic heart disease and hypertensive vascular disease if manifest to a degree of 10% or more any time after service. 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(c)(1).

References: § 1113
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 § 1112
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