Dental

Outpatient Dental Treatment

VA outpatient dental treatment includes the full spectrum of diagnostic, surgical, restorative and preventive procedures. The extent of care provided may be influenced by eligibility category.

Eligibility

The following veterans are eligible to receive dental care:

1. Veterans with service-connected, compensable dental conditions.
2. Former POWs.
3. Veterans with service-connected, non-compensable dental conditions as a result of combat wounds or service injuries.
4. Veterans with nonservice-connected dental conditions determined by VA to be aggravating a service-connected medical problem.
5. Veterans with service-connected conditions rated permanently and totally disabling or 100 percent by reason of permanent unemployability.
6. Veterans in a VA vocational rehabilitation program.
7. Certain enrolled homeless veterans.
8. Veterans with nonservice-connected dental conditions who received dental treatment while an inpatient in a VA facility.
9. Veterans requiring treatment for dental conditions clinically determined to be complicating a medical condition currently under treatment
10. Recently discharged veterans who served on active duty 90 days or more and who apply for VA dental care within 180 days of separation from active duty, may receive a one-time dental treatment if their certificate of discharge does not indicate that they received necessary dental care within the 90-day period prior to discharge.

Health Care

VA provides a number of health care services for OEF/OIF veterans to include:

• Hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy and prosthetic services
• Domiciliary and community based residential care
• Sexual trauma counseling
• Specialized health care for women veterans
• Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans
• Readjustment counseling
• Alcohol and drug dependency treatment
• Medical evaluation for disorders associated with military service in the Global War on Terrorism

More Information
MyHealtheVet

Fact Sheets on Common conditions found in OEF/OIF Veterans

VA Rolls Out PTSD Therapy Program
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Info Sheet for Veterans
Treating Depression in VA

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Compensation and Pension

VA can pay you monthly compensation if you are at least 10% disabled as a result of your military service. The Veterans Benefits Administration web site provides benefit information and the Compensation and Pension Benefits page provides specific information as well.

Women Veterans

How do I get help navigating this process? Women Veteran Program Managers are available at every VA medical center across the nation to advise and advocate for women veterans. Contact your local VA medical Center and ask to speak with the Women Veterans Program Manager. To find the nearest VA health care facility:

• Call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or
• Visit www.va.gov and select "Locations"

Contact your nearest VA health care facility and ask to speak with the Women Veterans Program Manager.

The VA Women Veterans Health Program supports the health, welfare, and dignity of women veterans and their families and ensures equal access to timely, sensitive, quality health care. We understand and know how to treat women's health issues and want to be the health care provider of choice for women veterans.

The VA Women Veterans Health Program offers comprehensive medical services to enrolled OEF/OIF women veterans. These include, but are not limited to, wellness and disease prevention, primary care, women's gender-specific health care including hormone replacement therapy, breast and gynecological care, maternity, and limited infertility (excluding in-vitro fertilization), acute medical/surgical care, telephone, emergency and substance abuse treatment, mental health, domiciliary, rehabilitation and long term care.

A Women Veterans Program Manager can help you understand the care services available and navigate the VA system. Contact your nearest VA health care facility and ask to speak with the Women Veterans Program Manager. To find your nearest VA health care facility, call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visit www.va.gov and select "Locations."

Primary Care Services

The VA Women Veterans Health Program is dedicated to your health and well being through every stage of your life. VA primary care providers (PCPs) have expertise in women's health and can guide you on the primary care that is best for you. Your PCP is an experienced health professional who partners with you to take care of all your health care needs. Primary health care for women includes general medical care, management of chronic conditions, mental health, and reproductive health care. Talk to your PCP about clinical breast exams and mammograms, pelvic exams and Pap smears, blood pressure screening, and cholesterol screening.

Primary Care services may include:

• Health evaluation, counseling, and disease prevention
• Nutrition counseling
• Weight control counseling
• Options to stop smoking
• Substance abuse treatment
• Heart disease screening and management
• Diabetes screening and management
• Cancer screening
• Common disorders among women such as osteoporosis and fibromyalgia
• Sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and Hepatitis

You can also talk with your PCP about reproductive health care, including:

• Family planning, birth control, and preconception counseling
• Initial evaluation for gynecologic (GYN) care with a referral to a gynecologist if needed
• Sexual problems
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
• Limited infertility services excluding in-vitro fertilization
• Tubal ligation
• Menopause
• Urinary incontinence

Non-therapeutic abortion services are not available through the VA.

Your PCP may also refer you for mental health services. Mental health services can help with:

• Depression and mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Intimate partner and domestic violence, sexual trauma, elder abuse, neglect
• Parenting and anger management issues
• Family caregiver stress
• Marital or family-related stress
• Military sexual trauma
• Post-deployment adjustment

Pregnancy Services

VA provides pregnancy care and services through arrangements with community providers. VA will pay for prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care for eligible women veterans. Many details are involved with pregnancy care. You should contact your Women Veterans Program Manager as early in your pregnancy as possible to discuss local processes regarding your prenatal care and to explore options for health care services for your baby.

Rehabilitation Services

Your PCP will make referrals for your rehabilitation therapy needs. Available therapies include:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech-Language Therapy
• Exercise Therapy
• Recreational Therapy
• Vocational Therapy

Homebound therapy is available to those meeting the following requirements:

• A referral from a primary care provider
• Documented homebound status
• Eligibility under Medicare income guidelines for home health care.

Homebound services must be provided through the VA's network of hospital-based home health providers.

Homeless Services

The VA Women Veterans Health Program is committed to providing services to help homeless women veterans live as independently as possible. Homeless services include emergency shelter, transitional housing programs, and permanent housing. Some services also are available to homeless women veterans with dependent children. Every VA Medical Center has a Homeless Veteran Service Coordinator. To locate the nearest VA Medical Center, call 1 (877) 222-VETS (8387) or search online at www.va.gov. You can also contact the Women Veterans Program Manager at your nearest facility.

Vet Centers

The Vet Center program provides a wide range of readjustment counseling to all combat veterans and their families. Readjustment counseling includes counseling for veterans and their families, marital & family counseling for military related issues, bereavement counseling, military sexual trauma counseling and referral, demobilization outreach and services, substance abuse assessment and referral, employment, VA medical referral, VA benefits referral, and veterans' community outreach and education. VA readjustment counseling is provided through the system of 232 Vet Centers located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. In 2009 VA plans to open 39 additional Vet Centers bringing the grand total to 271. Vet Centers are located outside of medical facilities, in the communities where veterans live. More Vet Center information is found at www.vetcenter.va.gov.

Your nearest Vet Center contact information can be found by entering your zip code using the VA Facility Directory.

Housing

At times, it may be difficult for veterans to decide where they want their permanent home address to be. On some occasions they may need assistance finding temporary housing. The VA offers help in locating available services for temporary housing and other associated services. If you or a loved one is in need of such services please visit Homeless Veterans to review VA resources.

Other housing transition services are available: Women Veterans Comprehensive Health Center

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

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VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked web site.

Education and Training

VA pays benefits to eligible veterans, reservists, and active duty servicemembers while they are in an approved education or training program. Call your local VA OEF/OIF coordinator to see what you may be entitled to or call the VA National Education & Training Hotline at 888-442-4551.

More Information

Loan Assistance

Home Loans

VA offers a number of home loan services to eligible veterans, some military personnel, and certain surviving spouses to include:

• Guaranteed Loans: VA can guarantee part of a loan from a private lender to help you buy a home, a manufactured home, a lot for a manufactured home, or certain types of condominiums. VA also guarantees loans for building, repairing, and improving homes.
• Refinancing Loans: If you have a VA mortgage, VA can help you refinance your loan at a lower interest rate. You may also refinance a non-VA loan.
• Special Grants: Certain disabled veterans and military personnel can receive grants to adapt or acquire housing suitable for their needs.

Transition

Transition Assistance Program - The official transition assistance web site, operated under contract on behalf of U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

US Dept of Labor Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Information

Military Transition Programs

US Army Wounded Warrior Program

US Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment (WWR)

US Air Force Palace HART Program  (news story, 5/5/2006)

US Navy Safe Harbor Program

Disability Information for Veterans and the Military Community

Support Agencies for Wounded Service Members, Wounded Families

Resources for Wounded or Injured Servicemembers and their Families (National Military Family Association Fact Sheet)

Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.
VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked web site.

Employment and Jobs

Department of Veterans Affairs Job Information
The US Department of Veterans Affairs is always seeking to hire disabled veterans and veterans of all eras. To view the latest information on job openings in VA and how to apply please visit the VA Jobs site.

Department of Labor (VETS) Job Information
The US Department of Labor is charged with job and job training counseling service, employment placement service, and job training placement service for eligible veterans carried as out by the Department of Labor. To view the latest information on services and programs offered by the Department of Labor please visit the US Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) page.

Vet Success
The purpose of the http://vetsuccess.gov site is to present information about what the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program provides to veterans with service-connected disabilities. It also provides information about vocational counseling available to active duty service members.

Stress and Mental Health Challenges

Stress may be expected for anyone returning from combat. Stress can also affect your family and friends. VA can help. Talk to your primary care physician. Visit Mental Health or the My HealtheVet site for more information.

Substance Abuse Programs

Summary of VA Treatment Programs for Substance Use Problems

Many veterans have problems with use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. This can include use of street drugs as well as using prescription medications in ways they weren't prescribed. Such substance use can harm health, cause mood and behavior problems, hurt social relationships, and cause financial problems. Many people find it difficult to cut down or stop using substances on their own. Effective treatments for substance use problems are available at VA. Available treatments address all types of problems related to substance use, from unhealthy use of alcohol to life-threatening addictions.

The VA provides effective, scientifically proven services for all eligible veterans, no matter where they come for services. VA providers know that in many cases substance use problems are continuing conditions that require care over a long period of time. For other veterans, the substance use problems may be resolved more quickly with attention paid to related problems. Such related problems could be posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, pain, disturbed sleep, irritability, and/or relationship problems.

The VA offers a number of options for those seeking treatment for substance use problems. These options include therapy, either alone with the therapist or in a group, as well as medications to help veterans reduce their use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Treatments that do not involve medications involve one or more of the following:

• increasing and making clearer the veteran's motivation for change
• helping veterans to improve their skills for spotting and dealing with triggers and relapse risks
• counseling couples together on how to recover from substance abuse and how to improve relationships
• getting outside support for recovery, including programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• looking at how substance use problems may relate to other problems such as PTSD and depression.

VA providers may use medications to treat alcohol dependence. Effective medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce craving, and promote abstinence, which is not drinking any alcohol.

Several medications for stopping tobacco can be effective alone or in combination:

• a nicotine replacement skin patch, gum or lozenge
• the medication bupropion, that has also been effective with depression
• the newest choice, varenicline, that has a very different way of working than the other medicines.

There are three different medications to treat addiction to opioid drugs like heroin, oxycodone or other pain killers. Methadone is an effective approach for chronic opioid addiction that can be provided only within a special program. Buprenorphine / naloxone and naltrexone can be part of treatment plans in a variety of clinical settings.

To help make sure that veterans can attend VA treatment services, programs offer evening and weekend hours. Residential (live-in) options are available for veterans who live far away from a VA clinic or have unstable housing. Special programs are often offered for patients with special concerns, such as women, OEF/OIF veterans, and homeless patients.

A patient coming to VA can expect to find the following types of care:

• first-time screening for alcohol or tobacco use in all care locations
• short outpatient counseling including focus on motivation
• intensive outpatient treatment
• residential (live-in) care
• medically managed detoxification (stopping substance use safely) and services to get stable
• continuing care and relapse prevention
• marriage and family counseling
• self-help groups
• drug substitution therapies and newer medicines to reduce craving

Decisions as to which services are provided and how intense they are will be based on the patient's needs and desires.

HOW CAN I GET HELP?

• Speak with your existing VA healthcare provider
• Contact the OEF/OIF Coordinator at your local VA Medical Center
• Contact your local Vet Center
• Call 1-800-827-1000, VA's general information hotline

A list of VA and Vet Center facilities can be found online at www.va.gov and www.vetcenter.va.gov

Prosthetics & Sensory Aids

Our medical, technical and therapeutic services are offered to:

• Evaluate needs
• Design custom devices
• Re-fit and adjust the item
• Perform gait analysis
• Recommend physical therapy intervention
• Communicate with the primary care provider to assist with ongoing medical care

Programs

Automobile Adaptive Equipment Program

This program provides equipment and training necessary for certain service-connected patients to enter, exit and operate a motor vehicle, once they have been awarded an Automobile Grant by VBA (Form 4502) and completed Driver's Training with an approved driver's evaluator. If a patient does not meet the service-connected criteria to operate a vehicle (loss of or loss of use of a limb or ankylosis of one or both hips or knees), they can still be approved for equipment to enter and exit a vehicle.

Home Improvement & Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant Program

The HISA grant is provided for the improvements and structural alterations a veteran needs to access his/her home and essential bathroom facilities. Examples include ramps, railings, lowered countertops, flooring, widened doorways and handicap accessible bathrooms. The one-time monetary limit ($1,200 for non-service-connected patients and $4,100 for service-connected patients) is dependent upon the veteran's service-connected rating.

Clothing Allowance Program

The Clothing Allowance Payment is paid annually to veterans with a service-connected condition who, because of the condition, must wear a device that causes the outer clothing to wear or tear; or if a veteran uses topical ointments prescribed by a VA provider for a service-connected skin condition that causes irreparable damage to outer garments.

Hearing Aids & Eyeglasses

Hearing Aids are provided to patients who are at least 10% service-connected or POWs, Purple Heart recipients, Housebound (HB) and/or Aid & Attendance (A&A) recipients or those enrolled in vocational rehabilitation. Exceptions include patients with multiple sclerosis, ear diseases and those who are rated 0% for hearing loss. Eyeglasses are provided to patients who are at least 10% service-connected or POWs, Purple Heart recipients, HB and/or A&A recipients. Exceptions include patients who have/have had a stroke, diabetes, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, cataract surgery or who need eyeglasses to actively participate in their medical treatment.

Prosthetic & Orthotic Devices

Prosthetic appliances, or prostheses, are external items that are custom fabricated and fitted to patients who have had an amputation of a lower or upper limb. Prescriptions are developed in the VA Amputee Clinic by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a Physician, Prosthetist, Therapist and Prosthetic Representative. Each prescription is carefully formulated to the patient's specific needs, taking into consideration factors that include vocation, recreational needs (swimming, skiing, archery, etc.), physical health in general and home environment. Based on this information, prostheses can be designed, often using new and emerging technologies as they become available.

Some examples include:

• microprocessor knees (C-Leg, Rheo Knee, Power Knee)
• microprocessor ankles (Proprio Foot)
• myoelectric and electric upper limb components

Other items and programs that VA Prosthetics support through our service teams are:

• Artificial Limbs (C-Legs, myoelectric arms, etc.)
• Blind Aids (talking watches/alarm clocks, magnifiers, CCTVs, etc.)
• Communication devices (GPS systems, medical alert devices, Environmental Control Units, etc.)
• Computers for the Blind and/or Disabled
• Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
• Home Respiratory Therapy including Home Oxygen, CPAPs, BiPAPS, Nebulizers
• Hospital Beds
• Items for Daily Living (blood pressure monitors, TENS Units, reachers, longhandled sponges, canes, crutches, walkers, etc.)
• Orthotic devices (shoes, braces, inserts, compression stockings, etc.)
• Patient Lifts (wheelchair, seat, etc.)
• Recreational/Rehabilitative Equipment (swimming legs, handcycles, archery arms, Braille dominoes, etc.)
• Surgical Implants (pacemakers, ICDs, Orthopedic hips and knees, ocular lenses, cochlear implants, etc.)
• Wheelchairs (manual, powered, iBOTs, scooters, etc.)

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