Changes in Medical Benefits for Veterans

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Eligible Douglas County veterans may be able to receive glasses and hearing aids as well as an increase in monthly medical compensation for a service-connected disability through the Veterans Affairs Office.

A new directive allows the VA offices to provide glasses and hearing aids to veterans even though their condition (Priority Groups 6-8) is not service-related. These services are now considered part of the preventive care package for all veterans enrolled in the VA who meet certain criteria.

Information regarding eligibility criteria and requirements for obtaining glasses and hearing aids are available online at www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1789, as well as from the Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs located at 4400 E. Castleton Ct. in Castle Rock.

A $50 co-pay may be charged for some audiology services, but there is no co-pay for the devices, batteries and visits needed for adjustment, repair, or modification of hearing aids. Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system are eligible for battery replacement and repair of hearing aids even if the hearing aids were purchased from a private source.

Also, veterans having a partial VA rated service-connected disability should periodically be re-evaluated to determine if their disability rating has changed. Typically disabilities worsen with age, which may cause an increased disability rating resulting in an increased amount of monthly medical compensation.

For more information, please visit www.douglasveterans.org or call the Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs at 303.688.4825 ext. 5359.