Vision and hearing care

Eyes and Ears: Do my VA benefits include vision and hearing care?

Will the VA cover the cost of eyeglasses?

Routine eye exams and preventive tests are covered by VA health care benefits. In some cases, you may get coverage for eyeglasses or services for blind or low vision rehabilitation.

The VA covers the cost of your eyeglasses if you meet at least one of the requirements listed below.

At least one of these must be true. You: •Have a compensable service-connected disability (a disability linked to your military service for which you’re receiving VA disability payments), or •Are a former prisoner of war (POW), or • Were awarded a Purple Heart, or •Receive benefits under Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1151, or • Receive an increased pension based on your being permanently housebound and in need of regular aid and attendance

Or, you must have at least one of these issues: •Vision problems caused by an illness – or the treatment of an illness – for which you’re receiving VA care, like: • Stroke • Diabetes • Multiple sclerosis •Vascular disease (diseases that affect your blood vessels) •Geriatric chronic illnesses (long-lasting illnesses that affect the elderly) • Vision problems caused by an injury – or the treatment of an injury – for which you’re receiving VA care, like: •A reaction to prescribed medicines •Cataract surgery or other surgeries of the eye, ear, or brain •Traumatic brain injury or polytrauma (injuries to more than 1 body part or organ, often caused by a blast) • Functional impairment (parts of your body that don’t work as well as they should) or cognitive impairment (a problem with memory or thinking skills) that’s severe enough to make it hard for you to do everyday tasks •Vision and/or hearing loss (called dual sensory impairment) that’s severe enough to interfere with your ability to take an active role in your own health care—and eyeglasses would help to reduce the impact of your impairment

Can I get hearing aids from the VA?

To receive hearing aids through VA, you must first register at the health Administration/enrollment section of the VA Medical Center of your choice. The following documents are usually needed at the time of registration: a copy of the Veteran's DD214, driver's license and health insurance (if available). There are several ways to enroll: •In person at any VA Medical Center or Clinic • Online by filling out the Form 10-10EZ (www.va.gov/healthcare/how-to-apply/) •By mailing completed Form 10-10EZ to the Medical Center of your choice (please be sure to sign your application or it cannot be processed for enrollment)

Once registered (or if already registered), you may schedule an appointment at the Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinic for an evaluation of your hearing. The audiologist will make a clinical determination on the need for hearing aids and/or other hearing assistive devices. If hearing aids are recommended and fit, the hearing aids, repairs, and future batteries will all be at no charge to you, as long as you maintain VA eligibility for care.

Does this sound like it might help someone you know? Pass this information on to them and have them go to the “How Can I Get Help?” section on page 5 in this publication to find out how to sign up and start the process.