Overview
The Department of Defense has begun reviewing applications from personnel seeking financial compensation for brain health issues associated with Havana Syndrome under the Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks Act of 2021 (HAVANA Act).
Key Facts
- Program Status: Active as of July 2025; Pentagon started reviewing applications on or after January 1, 2016.
- Eligibility: DoD employees and covered dependents who suffered qualifying brain injuries in connection with Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs).
- Payment Type: One-time payment for qualifying cases.
- Administering Agency: Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS).
Application Process
Per Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jules Hurst III's June 20 memo:
1. Applicants submit DD Form 3220, "Eligibility Questionnaire for HAVANA Act Payments," to the HAVANA Act email address (dodhra.mc-alex.dcpas.mbx.dod-havana-act@mail.mil).
2. DCPAS collects and reviews applications.
3. DCPAS may consult with OSD offices to determine if the incident causing injury was in connection with war, insurgency, hostile act, or terrorist activity.
4. For incidents designated as "other incidents," applicants must provide a designation letter validating that an incident at a particular location has been reported and the covered employee/dependent is authorized to receive medical care from DoD.
Context
Havana Syndrome refers to sudden onset symptoms including vertigo, imbalance, blurry vision, tinnitus, headache, hearing loss, nausea, and cognitive dysfunction first reported by U.S. Embassy personnel in Cuba's capital city in 2016. The phenomenon has since been documented affecting government employees, military servicemembers, and families worldwide.
Related Pages
- havana-syndrome-medical-findings — Medical documentation of neurological manifestations among U.S. government personnel reporting directional audible and sensory phenomena
- gaov-havana-syndrome-report-2024 — GAO July 2024 report on military healthcare failures for Havana Syndrome patients
- havana-syndrome-research-controversy — Conflicting scientific conclusions on Havana Syndrome causes: pulsed RF energy vs. conventional illness