On Nov. 9, 2000, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the decision to provide disability compensation for vets who developed Type 2 diabetes after serving in Vietnam. If you are among those, help is available.
History
Before the November 2000 announcement, the VA provided compensation for veterans with diabetes when it developed or was "otherwise related to" military service. The Institute of Medicine examined the impact Agent Orange and other herbicides had on the health of vets returning from Vietnam. They found a relationship between the use of chemicals in Vietnam and development of Type 2 or adult onset diabetes.
Significance
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 16 percent of those who receive treatment at VA health care facilities have diabetes. It is the sixth leading cause of blindness and death in the U.S. If you or a loved one served in Vietnam and have developed Type 2 diabetes, you are likely eligible for help. Three types of grants are available to help with disability needs.
Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH)
The SAH grant was created so you can modify your home to be as mobile and independent as possible. This grant can be used for new construction or modifying your present dwelling. Modifications to your home are medically necessary support items such as a wheelchair ramp or wider doorways to accommodate a wheelchair. To quality for the SAH grant, you need to be entitled to disability compensation for permanent and total loss of the ability to ambulate, blindness in both eyes, loss of the use of your arms, or complications that leave you unable to walk without a brace, cane, crutches or a wheelchair. In October 2008, the grant was limited to $63,780 dollars.
Special Home Adaptation Grant (SHA)
The difference between the SAH and SHA grants is subtle. The SHA applies only to modifications made to your existing home to meet your adaptive needs. You may also qualify for a temporary grant to modify the home of a relative if you are, or will be, living with them until you find permanent housing.This grant is limited to $12,756. You may qualify if you are blind in both eyes, lost the use of your arms or legs or were severely burned.
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant (HISA)
This grant offers funds to help make your bathroom accessible to support your continued care and for access-related changes such as widening the doorway to accommodate a wheelchair. Modifications might include the installation of grab rails in your bathtub, handrails around the toilet or a special shower or bathtub. This grant is available for disabled veterans whether your disability is service or non-service connected. You may be eligible for both a HISA and either an HSA or HAS grant. If your disability was service connected, the value of this grant is up to $4,100 for home improvements. If your disability was not connected to service, vets can still receive $1,200 for home improvements.
Tip
To apply for an SAH or SHA grant, complete VA Form 26-4555, Veterans Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant. If you are interested in applying for the HISA grant, complete VA Form 10-0103, Veterans Application for Assistance in Acquiring Home Improvement and Structural Alterations. Submit the first application to you local VA regional office and the second to your local VA medical center. For help, call 1-800-827-1000.
References
- United Stataes Department of Veterans Affairs: VA links Agent Orange and Diabetes
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Service-Connected Disabilities
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Home Improvements and Structural Alterations
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Home Modification Programs
