Veterans Benefits
Department of Veterans Affairs
Overview:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is a federal agency that oversees the various benefit programs available for
honorably discharged veterans. The DVA is the largest single medical care system in the country and the largest purchaser of
AT devices and equipment for persons with disabilities. The DVA buys aids for the blind, eyeglasses, orthopedic braces,
hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial limbs, automobile/van adaptive aids, patient lifts, hospital beds, other medical
equipment, and specially adapted housing. In addition, the DVA operates a vocational rehabilitation program for eligible
veterans. Thus, assistive technology can be provided to support a veteran in the vocational rehabilitation program to meet
vocational goals and pursue gainful employment.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Eligibility for veterans’ benefits is complex. Not all veterans are eligible for all benefits. Generally, if
a veteran is eligible for admission to a VA Medical Center
- (VAMC), then any disabilities he or she has will be treated and/or covered. Veterans should contact the Benefits
Counselor at the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Louisville to determine eligibility status.
- Entitlement to services varies and is based on the veteran’s disability rating.
- Those rated at disabilities of 50% or more are provided services regardless of whether the treatment is for a
service-connected disability or not.
- The VAMC determines eligibility and entitlement by conducting a needs assessment. After establishing eligibility,
services are provided on a space available basis and according to an assigned category of either mandatory or
discretionary.
- Veterans in the mandatory category receive free services, while veterans in the discretionary category may be
required to contribute to the cost of care they receive.
AT Services Provided/Covered:
- Evaluation/Assessment
- Purchasing/Acquisition
- Selection/Design
- Coordination
- Training/Technical Assistance
AT Devices Provided/Covered:
- Vision/Hearing Equipment
- Speech Communication
- Learning, Cognition and Developmental
- Mobility, Seating and Positioning
- Daily Living
- Environmental Adaptations
- Vehicle Modifications
- Computers and Related
- Recreation, Sports and Leisure Equipment
Application Process:
- Veterans who have questions about the benefits they are eligible to receive should contact the VA Benefits
Counselor at the Regional Office of Veterans Affairs in Louisville or the nearest VAMC (see Appendix B).
- To receive AT devices and services, the veteran must gain access to one of the VAMCs listed in Appendix B.
- Veterans who have questions about the benefits they are eligible to receive under the Vocational Rehabilitation
Program should contact the VA Benefits Counselor at the Regional Office of Veterans Affairs in Louisville. The veteran
will have to complete VA Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation, and submit it with
copies of available medical records. Once eligibility has been determined, a VA staff psychologist will work with the
individual to develop a plan of services. A rehabilitation specialist will assist the individual and coordinate the
implementation of the plan.
Contact Information:
Louisville VA Regional Office
321 West Main Street, Suite 390
Louisville, KY 40202
(800) 827-1000
Website: http://www.va.gov
Bridges & Potholes:
Bridges
- The Department of Veterans Affairs will cover the cost of assistive technology and services for qualifying
individuals. These services can include hearing aids, home modifications, and adaptive vehicles.
Potholes
- Very limited eligibility. If you are not a veteran or a dependent of a veteran, there is no need to apply.
- Some VA Medical Centers (VAMC) have shifted funds away from assistive devices to other services. This has resulted
in tighter scrutiny of prosthetic devices and delays and denials in paying for equipment.
- In order to obtain prosthetics from the VA, an individual must go to one of the VAMCs. In addition, only eighty-two
of the VAMCs have full Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services. The other ninety VAMCs handle only very routine prosthetic
needs but can order the equipment.