VETERANS BENEFITS

Department of Veterans Affairs

PURPOSE

The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) offers an array of benefits to Veterans that includes but not limited to Health Care, Home Loans including Home Modifications, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Pharmacy Benefits. The DVA provides a standard enhanced health benefits plan available to all enrolled Veterans. This plan emphasized preventive and primary care, and offers a full range of outpatient and inpatient services within VA Health Care System.

CONTACT

VA Benefits

(800) 827-1000

FINANCIAL CRITERIA

• Varies depending on the benefit.

ELIGIBILITY

• 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/covered. Veterans should contact the Benefits Counselor at the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Muskogee to determine eligibility status. 

• VA maintains an annual enrollment system for health care to manage the provision of quality hospital and outpatient medical care and treatment to all enrolled veterans. A priority system ensures that veterans with service-connected disabilities and those below the low-Income threshold are able to be enrolled in VA’s health care system.

• Eligibility for most veterans’ health care benefits is based solely on active military service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard (or Merchant Marines during WWII), and discharged other than dishonorable conditions.

• Health care eligibility is not just for those who served in combat. 

AT SERVICES PROVIDED/COVERED

• Information & Referral

• Training for Consumer & Family

• Assessments & Evaluations

• Fabrication of Devices

• Case Management

• Maintenance & Repairs

AT DEVICES PROVIDED/COVERED

Aids for Daily Living

Hospital Beds

Aids for Hearing Impaired

Medical Supplies

Aids for Vision Impaired

Prosthetics & Orthotics

Augmentative Communication

Seating/Positioning Equipment

Computer Applications

Vehicle Modifications

Environmental Controls

Wheelchairs & Mobility Aids

Home Modifications

Worksite/Office Modifications

APPLICATION PROCESS

• You can apply for VA health care, nursing home, domiciliary or dental benefits by completing VA Form 10-10EZ Application for Health Benefits. Be sure you sign and date the application. You can obtain this form by:

• Accessing our website, www.va.gov/1010EZ.htm; or

• Calling the VA’s Health Benefits Service Center, toll free at (877) 222-VETS (8387), Monday - Friday between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm EST.

APPEALS PROCESS

1. A claimant has one year from the date of the notification of the VA decision to file an appeal.

2. You must file a Notice of Disagreement. This must be submitted in writing and specify exactly your disagreement with the decision you received. You should refer to your decision notification letter and the attached VA Form 4107, “You Rights To Appeal Our Decision” for further guidance on filing a Notice of Disagreement. You may download a copy of the VA Form 4107 at: http://www.vba.va.gov/

pubs/forms/4107.pdf.

PIECES OF THE PUZZLE

• Enrolled veterans receiving VA care for any condition may receive “medical necessary” VA prosthetic appliances, equipment and devices, such as artificial limbs, orthopedic braces and shoes, wheelchairs, crutches and canes, and other durable medical equipment and supplies.

• Certain veterans who are not enrolled are also eligible for prosthetic items. 

• VA provides grants to assist in making certain home improvements or structural alterations that are “medically necessary.” For more information go online: http://www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm.

• VA will provide hearing aids and eyeglasses to veterans who receive increased pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound, receive compensation for service-connected disability or are former prisoners of war. Otherwise, hearing aids and eyeglasses are provided ONLY in special circumstances, and NOT for normally occurring hearing or vision loss.