VA Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV) Program

Benefits For Children Of Women Vietnam Veterans | Veterans Affairs Skip to Content An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely. Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now Family and caregiver benefits Health and disability benefits CHAMPVA benefits Apply now Submit other health insurance File a CHAMPVA claim Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Apply now El Programa de Asistencia Integral para Cuidadores de Familia Solicite ahora (en inglés) Benefits for spina bifida linked to Agent Orange Benefits for children of women Vietnam Veterans In this section Benefits for children of women Vietnam Veterans If your biological mother served in Vietnam and you have certain birth defects, you may be able to get compensation (payments), health care, and job training benefits. Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply. Eligibility for benefits for certain birth defects You may be eligible for benefits if you have a covered birth defect that caused a permanent physical or mental disability (a disability that doesn’t go away) and you meet both of these requirements. Both of these must be true: Your biological mother served in Vietnam any time from February 28, 1961, through May 7, 1975, and You were conceived after your mother first entered the Republic of Vietnam during the qualifying time period You can find examples of covered birth defects on this page. Note: If you have spina bifida, you may be eligible for different benefits. Learn about benefits for spina bifida linked to Agent Orange Benefits you can get You may be eligible for these benefits: Compensation (monthly payments) Review the current birth defect compensation rates Health care benefits through the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV) Health Care Benefits Program Learn about getting care for birth defects Job training (called Veteran Readiness and Employment, or VR&E) Learn more about VR&E Note: You can only use your VR&E benefits between ages 14 and 31. How to apply for benefits You’ll need to fill out an Application for Benefits for Certain Children with Disabilities Born of Vietnam and Certain Korea Service Veterans (VA Form 21-0304). Get VA Form 21-0304 to download You’ll also need to submit this evidence: Your birth certificate or another document showing the biological relationship between you and your Veteran parent, and Service records that prove your Veteran parent served in Vietnam during the qualifying dates listed above, and Medical records with the diagnosis of the covered birth defect You can apply by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional. Option 1: By mail Mail your completed form and supporting evidence to this address: Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444 Or you can fax them to 844-531-7818 . If you’re outside the U.S., fax them to 248-524-4260 . Option 2: In person Bring your application to a VA regional office near you. Find a VA regional office near you Option 3: With the help of a trained professional You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help applying for benefits. Get help applying for benefits If you already have an accredited representative or a power of attorney and need to update their information, call us at (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Birth defects we cover through the CWVV We cover a wide range of birth defects related to women Veterans’ service in Vietnam. Here are some examples of covered birth defects: Cleft lip and cleft palate Certain birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord (neural tube defects) Certain birth defects of the hands and feet, such as clubfoot and fused fingers (syndactyly) Certain birth defects of the digestive system, such as congenital megacolon, esophageal and intestinal atresia, and pyloric stenosis Certain birth defects of the male reproductive system, such as hypospadias and undescended testicle Congenital heart disease Hip dysplasia Tracheoesophageal fistula Here are some other examples of covered birth defects: Achondroplasia (a type of dwarfism) Hallermann-Streiff syndrome Hirschsprung’s disease (congenital megacolon) Poland syndrome Williams syndrome Note: This is not a complete list of covered birth defects. And we don’t cover these birth defects if we determine they have a different cause, such as a family history of the condition. If you have spina bifida You may be eligible for different benefits. Learn about benefits for spina bifida linked to Agent Orange How to contact us if you have questions For questions about compensation or applying for benefits Call us at (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Or send us an email at bdefects.vbaden@va.gov . For questions about the CWVV Health Care Benefits Program Call us at (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. ET. You can also contact us online through Ask VA. Contact us online through Ask VA Or send us an email at sb.hac@va.gov . More information and resources Learn about getting health care benefits for your covered birth defects. If you have health care benefits for birth defects, learn about getting prescription medications through Meds by Mail. If you’re the child of a Veteran who served in Vietnam, Thailand, or in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and you have spina bifida, you may be able to get VA benefits. Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply. Last updated: November 15, 2024