What is categorized under the service connection of "presumptive"?

The service connection of "presumptive" refers specifically to conditions that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assumes to be related to military service without requiring the veteran to prove a direct causal link between their service and the condition. This is particularly relevant for conditions that are believed to arise from specific exposures or situations encountered during service.

Exposure to specific conditions during service is categorized as "presumptive" because the VA has established a list of diseases and conditions that are automatically connected to service if certain criteria, such as time and location, are met. For example, veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War may be granted presumptive service connection for diseases like certain cancers or diabetes.

In contrast, an injury connected to service requires the veteran to establish a direct link to the service incident. New medical conditions arising post-service typically cannot be presumed unless they fall under specific regulations, such as those stemming from service-related exposures. All service-related disabilities is a broader term that does not specifically capture the nuances of presumptive conditions. This highlights the important distinction within VA procedures regarding how conditions are linked to military service.