FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

38 U.S.C. 101(2), 1705, 1710, and 5303A.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide personal and social adjustment programs and medical or health-related services for eligible blinded veterans at selected VA Medical Centers maintaining blind rehabilitation centers.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Provision of Specialized Services. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

To assist in the rehabilitation of blinded veterans.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Any blind veteran who meets the following requirements: Must have enlisted in the armed forces before September 7, 1980. Veterans who enlisted in the armed forces after September 7, 1980, or entered on active duty after October 16, 1981, must have 24 continuous months of active duty service or completed the full period of time for which the individual was called or ordered to active duty. In either case the individual must have been discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. Must be enrolled in the VA health care system or have: A VA service-connected rating of 50 percent or greater, an adjudicated service-connected disability, or; been recently discharged from the military (within the past 12 months) for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. When approved, the VA and at the Department of Defense request, active duty personnel may be transferred to a Blind Center.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   All blinded veterans.

Credentials/Documentation:   Military discharge papers.

Pre-application Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Application may be made by completing a VA Form 10-10EZ, "Application for Health Benefits." Applications may be made: (1) In person at any VA health care facility; (2) through any veterans organization's representative; or (3) by mailing the 10-10EZ to the nearest VA health care facility.

Award Procedure:   VA ward physician determines, with recourse to Hospital Director.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Immediately.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Following admission, veterans are provided specialized inpatient rehabilitation in a VA Blind Rehabilitation Center plus any necessary medical or health related services. The time that a veteran spends in a Blind Rehabilitation Center is individual to each veteran. Normally the stay is 8 to 10 weeks, but will vary.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Not applicable.

Audits:   Not applicable.

Records:   Not applicable.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   36-0160-0-1-703.

Obligations:   (Salaries and Expenses) FY 01 $56,192,000; FY 02 est $58,333,000; and FY 03 est $60,555,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Not applicable.

By the end of fiscal year 2001, 1,730 veterans had received the personal and social rehabilitation program at the 9 Blind Rehabilitation Centers.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

"Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Fact Sheet 80-991-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Fax orders (202) 512-2250. Mail Requests to P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. Coordinated Services for Blinded Veterans, IB 11-59 (Revised), available from Director, Blind Rehabilitation Service (117B), Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Office, Washington, DC 20420.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Initial contact should be made at the nearest VA Medical Center or outpatient clinic listed in Appendix IV under the Veterans Health Administration.

Headquarters Office:   Blind Rehabilitation Service (117B), Patient Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 461-7317.

Web Site Address:  
https://www.va.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

	back to top