Veterans With Service Dogs Are Now Eligible For VA Benefits, But May Need To Reapply
Posted on | June 11, 2010 | 1 Comment
NOTE: I previously incorrectly referred to the VA payments as a monthly stipend. I’ve made those corrections here and on other posts as well. There’s enough misinformation on the subject of service dogs out there already without me adding to it – my apologies.
My friend Christina Roof at AMVETS just posted a reminder about this a few days ago, which reminded ME that I shoulda put this up when it first happened in April, and didn’t (no good reason).
Veterans with service dogs are now eligible for the same VA benefits that veterans with guide dogs have been receiving for years.
Details here: “VA Clarifies Veterans’ Assistance Dog Policies, Offering Benefits For New and Previously-Denied Claims”
This is an absolute must-read for anyone with an interest in service dogs for veterans (i.e., EVERYBODY). It explains the VA policy on service dogs, the process to have one approved, and how to apply for the benefits VA provides for care of the dog. (BTW, the link in that article to the VA site is wrong – this is the correct one: http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/ServiceDogFAQ.asp )
I talked about this issue back in September of last year (“Finally, The Real Story About The Department Of Veterans Affairs And Service Dogs For Veterans”). As I said at the time, it seemed like, after 7 years of saying they weren’t gonna do it, the service dog change just ‘showed up’ on the VA website one day without any announcement. Plus it also appeared that veterans were still getting differing answers about that change depending on what office they talked to.
This clarification addresses those issues. And, as the AMVETS release says, you need to reapply for this benefit even if – in fact, ESPECIALLY if – you were turned down before.
The big issue here, and my concern all along, has been that there could’ve been many veterans who might’ve applied for a service dog, but haven’t because they’ve been concerned about handling the routine expenses, and they just didn’t want to say that.
We’re never gonna know how many we missed in the 7 years it took to make this change, but at least that’s not something we should have to worry about any more.
Assuming, of course, the process works as advertised. I’m VERY interested to see people’s experiences with it - please let me know what they are, good or bad.
ble for the same VA monthly stipend for expenses that veterans with guide dogs have been receiving for years.
Tags: AMVETS > Department of Veterans Affairs > Disabled Veterans > Wounded Warrior
Comments
One Response to “Veterans With Service Dogs Are Now Eligible For VA Benefits, But May Need To Reapply”
Leave a Reply
About Me
I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a former member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent.
I'm actively looking for a paid position doing what I already do full-time as a volunteer.
Read More About MeSubscribe via RSS
June 23rd, 2010 @ 6:31 pm
I am a ww2 vet 100%+ and I went and got my own dog from canine asst in Ga she is a full service dog and I need her for balence and hearing she also does a load of otheer thing for me. I waited 10 years for the va to help me and all I got blank looks. They findly put my dog on record with the VA and six mounths latter they called me and said it was a mistake and I’d have to do the whole thing over again and I did and have been waiting forever