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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:

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.

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