WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently issued a proposed regulation to make the loss of breasts by some women veterans a condition justifying special monthly compensation.
Federal law provides a special monthly benefit of $78 for certain service-related disabilities suffered by veterans. This special benefit is paid in addition to VA's regular disability compensation.
To qualify, recipients must have their conditions officially recognized by VA as being "service-connected."
This special benefit is paid for a variety of anatomical losses or for certain conditions affecting speech, hearing and sight.
The proposed regulation will cover the loss of one or both breasts, including losses due to mastectomies. VA estimates it will receive about 600 cases over five years, at an estimated cost of $2.9 million.
Veterans and other interested parties have 30 days to submit comments to: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or email to OGCRegulations@mail.va.gov.
The proposed regulation is also located in the Federal Register at www.access.gpo.gov.
