Services for Blind Veterans
Blind and visually impaired veterans may be eligible for services at a VA medical center or for admission to a VA blind rehabilitation center. In addition, blind veterans enrolled in the VA health care system may receive:
1. A total health and benefits review.
2. Adjustment to blindness training and counseling.
3. Home improvements and structural alterations.
4. Specially adapted housing and adaptations.
5. Automobile grant.
6. Low-vision devices and training in their use.
7. Electronic and mechanical aids for the blind, including adaptive computers and computer-assisted devices such as reading machines and electronic travel aids.
8. Guide dogs, including cost of training for the veteran to learn to work with the dog.
9. Talking books, tapes and Braille literature.
Eligible visually impaired veterans (who are not blind) enrolled in the VA health care system may receive:
1. A total health and benefits review.
2. Adjustment to vision loss counseling and training.
3. Low-vision devices and training in their use.
4. Electronic and mechanical aids for the visually impaired, including adaptive computers and computer-assisted devices such as reading machines and electronic travel aids, and training in their use.
Mental Health Care Treatment
Veterans eligible for VA medical care may apply for general mental
health treatment including specialty services such as PTSD and substance abuse treatment. Contact the nearest VA health care facility to apply.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
Veterans experiencing an emotional crisis or who need to talk to a trained mental health professional may call the National Suicide tollfree hotline number, 1-800ยท273-TALK (8255). The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers are immediately connected with a qualified and caring provider who can help.
Work Restoration Programs
VA provides vocational assistance and therapeutic work opportunities through several programs for veterans receiving VA health care. Each program offers treatment and rehabilitation services to help veterans live and work in their communities.
Participation in the following VA Work Restoration Programs cannot be used to deny or discontinue VA compensation or pension benefits.
Incentive Therapy is a pre-vocational program available at 70 VA Medical Centers and frequently serves as a mainstay for seriously disabled veterans for whom employment is not considered viable in the foreseeable future. Participants receive a token payment for services provided.
Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) is a vocational program available at 141 VA Medical Centers. Veterans receive an individualized vocational assessment, rehabilitation planning and work experience with the goal of job placement in the community. The program works closely with community-based organizations, employers and state and federal agencies to establish transitional work experiences, supported employment opportunities, direct job placement and supportive follow-up services.
CWT/Transitional Residence provides work-based, residential treatment in a stable living environment. This program differs from other VA residential bed programs in that participants use their earnings to contribute to the cost of their residences and are responsible for planning, purchasing and preparing their own meals. The program offers a comprehensive array of rehabilitation services including home, financial and life skills management.
Domiciliary Care
Domiciliary care provides rehabilitative and long-term, health-care for veterans who require minimal medical care but do not need the skilled nursing services provided in nursing homes. A Domiciliary also provides rehabilitative care for veterans who are homeless.
Eligibility: VA may provide domiciliary care to veterans whose annual gross household income does not exceed the maximum annual rate of VA pension or to veterans the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines have no adequate means of support. The copays for extended care services apply to domiciliary care. Call your nearest benefits or health care facility to obtain the latest information.
Outpatient Dental Treatment
VA outpatient dental treatment includes the full spectrum of diagnostic, surgical, restorative and preventive procedures. The extent of care provided may be influenced by eligibility category.
Eligibility: The following veterans are eligible to receive dental care:
1. Veterans with service-connected, compensable dental conditions.
2. Former POWs.
3. Veterans with service-connected, non-compensable dental conditions as a result of combat wounds or service injuries.
4. Veterans with nonservice-connected dental conditions determined by VA to be aggravating a service-connected medical problem.
5. Veterans with service-connected conditions rated permanently and totally disabling or 100 percent by reason of permanent unemployability.
6. Veterans in a VA vocational rehabilitation program.
7. Certain enrolled homeless veterans.
8. Veterans with nonservice-connected dental conditions who received dental treatment while an inpatient in a VA facility.
9. Veterans requiring treatment for dental conditions clinically determined to be complicating a medical condition currently under treatment.
Recently discharged veterans who served on active duty 90 days or more and who apply for VA dental care within 180 days of separation from active duty, may receive a one time dental treatment if their certificate of discharge does not indicate that they received necessary dental care within the 90-day period prior to discharge.
Related Pages:
VA Health Care Introduction
Financial Assessment
Medical Programs – Page 1
Medical Programs – Page 2
Medical Programs – Page 3