---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 1812"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "1812"
heading: "Covered birth defects"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/1812"
units:
  - "Part II — General Benefits"
  - "Chapter 18 — Benefits for Children of Vietnam Veterans and Certain Other Veterans"
  - "Subchapter II — Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Born with Certain Birth Defects"
---

# §1812. Covered birth defects

- (a) **Identification.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall identify the birth defects of children of women [Vietnam veterans](/usc/38/1831.md?p=4) that—
  - (1) are associated with the service of those [veterans](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) in the Republic of Vietnam during the [Vietnam era](/usc/38/1831.md?p=5); and
  - (2) result in permanent physical or mental [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1).
- (b) **Limitations.—**
  - (1) The birth defects identified under [subsection (a)](#a) may not include birth defects resulting from the following:
    - (A) A familial disorder.
    - (B) A birth-related injury.
    - (C) A fetal or neonatal infirmity with well-established causes.
  - (2) In any case where affirmative evidence establishes that a [covered birth defect](/usc/38/1811.md?p=2) of a [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) of a woman [Vietnam veteran](/usc/38/1831.md?p=4) results from a cause other than the active military, naval, or air service of that [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) in the Republic of Vietnam during the [Vietnam era](/usc/38/1831.md?p=5), no benefits or assistance may be provided the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) under this subchapter.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 106–419, title IV, § 401(a), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1857.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1812 was renumbered section 3712 of this title.

Another prior section 1812, Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1210, automatically guaranteed loans made to a veteran if made for the purpose of purchasing farms and farm equipment, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 93–569, § 7(a), Dec. 31, 1974, 88 Stat. 1866.