To
provide, through purchase and/or fabrication, prosthetic and related
appliances, equipment and services to disabled veterans so that
they may live and work as productive citizens.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Funds
may be used for case management of the disabled veteran by administrative
control, purchasing and/or fabrication and repair of prosthetic
appliances and equipment. Appliances and services are provided only
for the use and benefit of the disabled veteran to whom they are
furnished. The program also includes the replacement and repair
of appliances and training in the use of artificial limbs, artificial
eyes, wheelchairs, aids for blind, hearing aids, braces, orthopedic
shoes, eyeglasses, crutches and canes, medical equipment, implants,
and medical supplies, and automotive adaptive equipment.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Any disabled veteran or authorized
representative on his behalf meeting the criteria below may apply
for prosthetic appliances or services. VA may not furnish sensory-neural
aids, e.g., eye glasses, hearing aids, etc., other than in accordance
with guidelines which the Secretary Shall prescribe.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Veterans eligible for prosthetic
services are service-connected veterans seeking care for a service-connected
disability; veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities
generally rated 10% or more; former prisoners of war, veterans
discharged or released from active military service for a disability
that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, and veterans
who are in receipt of Section 1151 benefits; veterans who are
in receipt of increased pension based on a need of regular aid
and attendance or by reason of being permanently housebound; veterans
who have annual income and net worth below the "means test" threshold;
all other veterans who are not required to pay a copayment for
their care, i.e., veterans of the Mexican border period and World
War I, compensated zero (0) percent service-connected veterans
who are receiving statutory awards, veterans exposed to a toxic
substance, radiation or environmental hazard (limited to certain
disabilities); and veterans who must pay a copayment for their
care. Ineligible veterans are nonservice-connected veterans residing
or sojourning in foreign lands.
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: Eligible veteran may request prosthetic
services by reporting in person to any VA Medical Center as well
as by correspondence, telephone, or authorized community physician
prescription.
Award
Procedure: Not applicable.
Deadlines:
None.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Usually immediately,
although delays of 30 to 60 days have occurred in unusual cases.
Appeals:
A veteran who is administratively refused prosthetics services
by a local VA health care facility may appeal to the Board of
Veterans Appeals. Determinations of the Veterans Health Administration
involving the need or nature of medical treatment as distinguished
from legal or basic eligibility for medical services, are not
appealable.
Renewals:
None.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: For veterans
in receipt of special monthly compensation or increased pension
based on the need for regular aid and attendance, assistance is
maintained for as long as eligibility continues (usually for life).
Veterans are entitled to receive prosthetic services for as long
as they are receiving VA treatment.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
None.
Audits:
Not applicable.
Records:
Not applicable.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 36-0160-0-1-703.
Obligations:
(Value and Repair of Prosthetic Appliances) FY 01 $498,437,000;
FY 02 est $523,366,000; and FY 03 est $523,366,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
$10 to $25,000. Average: $118.
The program has provided 2,800,000 prosthetic item/services in the
form of prosthetic appliances, sensory aids, medical equipment,
medical supplies, implants, therapeutic devices and repair services
during fiscal year 2001. The Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform
Act of 1996 significantly impacts prosthetic item/services provided.
Regional
or Local Office: Initial contact should be made
with the Prosthetic Representatives in 154 VA field stations, any
VA hospital or outpatient clinic, or any veterans' service organization
representative. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for the address of
the nearest Veterans Hospital Facility.
Headquarters
Office: Chief Consultant, Prosthetic and Sensory
Aids Strategic Health Care Group (113), Department of Veterans
Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-8515. Fax:
(202) 273-9110.
