Seamless Transition for Returning Soldiers
The VA works hand in hand with the Department of Defense to ensure that returning soldiers
who are transitioning over to veteran status are fully aware of the products and services
available to them from VA Prosthetics.
The Center for the Intrepid is a joint venture between the Veterans Administration and
the Department of Defense. Located at Fort Sam Houston, "The Center for the Intrepid"
provides care and treatment to traumatic amputee patients, burn patients requiring advanced
rehabilitation and those requiring limb salvage efforts with techniques and training
to help them regain their ability to live and work productively. VA Prosthetics is a member of
this cooperative effort.
As service members return from combat with injuries, VA social workers at Military
Treatment Facilities provide them with information on items and services they can receive
as a veteran as well as those items they can receive while still a service member.
An example of equipment available to service members is adaptations to their vehicles.
Service members may apply for the automobile grant and receive adaptations to their vehicles
through Prosthetics?
Automobile Adaptive Equipment Program.
Other programs, such as Clothing Allowance
and Home Improvement and Structural Alteration
grants, are only available once the individual is officially a veteran and not on
active duty.
While the service member is receiving their care, either in a Military Treatment
Facility or VA Medical Center, the VA fills in the gap for medical equipment not available
through Tricare, i.e. handcycles, monoskis, Global Positioning Systems, Personal Digital
Assistants, and enhanced function wheelchairs.
(See Prosthetic Devices.)
VA Prosthetics leads the world in providing state of the art technology to aid individuals
in gaining their independence and revitalizing their lives. VA Prosthetics does not look at
the cost of an item, but rather if it is right for the individual. We extend this to returning
service members, not just veterans, to ensure that there is no delay in our wounded heroes
receiving the equipment they need.
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