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Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits - Spina Bifida Allowance

Spina Bifida patients who are children of Vietnam veterans may be eligible for vocational training, health care, and a monthly allowance. The VA Health Administration Center (HAC) in Denver, Colorado HAC is responsible for all aspects of the Spina Bifida Health Care Program, including the authorization of health care benefits and the subsequent processing and payment of claims.

NOTE: On December 16, 2003 the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 was signed into law. This laws states that Spina Bifida benefits have been extended to the natural child of a service member if the service member served in Korea during the period September 1, 1967 - August 31, 1971; if the veteran served in the active military, naval or air service and was exposed to an herbicide agent during such service in or near the Korean demilitarized zone.

Vocational Training

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program administers a vocational training program to enable a qualified child to prepare for and attain suitable employment. Services may include counseling and rehabilitative services, education, training and employment services leading to suitable employment. VA pays for the cost of these services. To qualify for entitlement to a vocational training program, an applicant must be a child: (1) to whom VA has awarded a monthly allowance for Spina Bifida, and (2) for whom VA has determined that achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible. A vocational training program may not begin before a child's 18th birthday or the date the child completes secondary schooling, whichever comes first. Depending on the need, a child may be provided up to 24 months of full-time training.

Spina Bifida Allowance

The monthly allowance is set at three levels, depending upon the degree of disability suffered by the child. The three levels are based on neurological manifestations that define the severity of disability: impairment of the functioning of the extremities, impairment of bowel or bladder function, and impairment of intellectual functioning.

These monthly rates normally change annually on December 1. The rates shown below are effective December 1, 2011 and are current as of January 2012.

Additional Information

The Department of Veterans Affairs Health Administration Center has published the Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program Handbook. It is available in PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) online at:
http://www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/spina/handbook/sbhandbook.pdf

Much additional information, including detailed application and claim procedures, contact information, and an online policy manual is available from the VA Health Administration Center's Spina Bifida / Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV) website at:
http://www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/spina/spina.asp

Call the VA Health Administration Center (HAC) toll free for assistance with Healthcare Benefits Information, Referral, Eligibility, or Application at 1-888-820-1756.

Source

Some information for this topic was drawn from:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/special2.htm

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