VA Revises Rules Regarding Nursing Home Care

Newly proposed rules from the Department of Veterans Affairs would provide more flexibility to veterans in terms of their healthcare benefits and prioritize government funding for state homes that provide care to veterans.

The first rule eliminates the regulation that allows refusal of VA medical care if a veteran misses two medical appointments without providing 24 hours' notice and a reasonable excuse. The second rule would change the way grant applications are considered by the VA for state homes that provide nursing care to veterans. Grants that go toward remedying life or safety deficiencies would receive priority. The rule also updates which VA member can issue citations for threats to life or safety in these homes.

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VA Expands Benefits for Vets with Traumatic Brain Injuries

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that a number of conditions associated with traumatic brain injuries will be eligible for expanded benefits, including Parkinson's disease, unprovoked seizures, some dementias, depression and hormone deficiency diseases related to several glands. The new proposal could open the door for thousands of veterans to file treatment claims with the Veterans Benefits Administration.

There are some restrictions to the additional benefits. Veterans who suffer from Parkinson's, unprovoked seizures, dementias and hormone deficiency diseases will only qualify for additional benefits if their traumatic brain injuries are diagnosed as moderate or severe (only about one-fifth of the injuries are diagnosed at those levels). The proposal also puts time limits on claims related to dementia, hormone deficiency and depression.

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