Tropical Diseases
What happens in the jungle, does not always stay in the jungle.
Eligibility
Veteran served at least 90 days continuous days on Active Duty, which included service in a tropical location.
If you have to ask if you have tropical service, you do not.
Diseases
The Veteran must have developed these diseases within one year of separation OR at a time when standard and accepted treatises indicate that the incubation period commenced during active service, unless shown by clear and unmistakable evidence not to have been of service origin. ADDITIONALLY, the diseases MUST have had a severity of at least 10% during that year or incubation period.
Leishmaniasis, including Kala-azar;
Yaws;
Resultant disorders or diseases originating because of therapy administered in connection with such diseases or as a preventative thereof.
Established Incubation Periods
Here are some medically established incubation periods for several diseases:
| Tropical Disease | Incubation Period |
|---|---|
| Dracontiasis | 14 months |
| Filariasis | 8 to 12 months |
| Leishmaniasis, including Kala-azar | 12 months |
| Leishmaniasis, Old World | 18 months |
| Loiasis | 3 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sometimes the VBA makes a mistake or they are missing evidence that would indicate you are an eligible Veteran with a diagnosed condition. If this happens, it is strongly recommended that you seek out the assistance of a VSO to help you file an Appeal.
Additionally,
If there is documentation that during service the Veteran's exposure was due to their own willful misconduct or that after the Veteran's separation there was a supervening condition or event that was more than likely the etiology of the disease, the Veteran may be denied service-connection.