Veterans Dental Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran's benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for listing under Veterans Health Services and Research Administration.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2007, there were 3,180,876 dental procedures; The fiscal year 2007 and 2008 estimates are 3,475,395 and 3,620,884 respectively.
Uses and Use Restrictions
No restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Must have enlisted in the armed forces before September 7, 1980.
Veterans who enlisted in the armed forces after September 7, 1980 or entered on active duty after October 16, 1981, must have 24 continuous months of active duty service or completed the full period of time for which the individual was called or ordered to active duty.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Dental care may be provided for those veterans (1) who have a service-connected compensable dental disability or condition; (2) who have a service-connected, non-compensable dental condition or disability and were former prisoners of war; (3) who have a service-connected, non-compensable condition or disability resulting from combat wounds or service trauma; (4) who were held as a prisoner of war for a period of not less than 90 days; (5) who have a service- connected disability rated as total; (6) who have been found in need of training authorized under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31; (7) who have a dental condition which is having a direct and material detrimental effect upon a service-connected condition; (8) who have service-connected, non- compensable disability and who apply for treatment of such condition within 90 days following discharge or release from active duty of not less than 180 days, or in the case of a veteran who served on active duty during the Persian Gulf War, 90 days (treatment under this latter authority is limited to one-time correction of the service-connected dental condition); and (9) those receiving outpatient or scheduled for inpatient care may receive dental care if the dental condition is clinically determined to be complicating a medical condition currently under treatment.
Credentials/Documentation
Copy of military discharge, and as applicable verification of: (a) establishment of service-connected disability; (b) service during World War I; (c) military retirement; (d) letter of authorization; or (e) receipt of increased pension or additional compensation or allowance based on the need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being permanently housebound, or those who, but for the receipt of military retired pay, would be otherwise eligible, and as applicable, family income and expense information.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Application may be made: (1) personally at a VA medical center, outpatient clinics or regional offices with outpatient clinics; (2) through any veteran's service organization representative; or (3) by mailing VA form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits, to the nearest VA health care facility.
Award Procedures
Not applicable.
Deadlines
Application for dental treatment for service-connected non-compensable condition or disability shown to have been in existence at time of discharge or release from service must be made within 90 days after discharge from active duty.
Authorization
38 U.S.C. 1712.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
The same day if applicant applies in person; generally within 10 days if applicant applies by mail.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
No limit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not applicable.
Audits
Not applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0160-0-1-703.
Obigations
(Salaries and Expenses) FY 07 $418,671,000; FY 08 est $451,490,000; and FY 09 est $485,454,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
38 CFR 17.45a, 17.60(a) - (i), 17.60 (d) - (f) and 17.123(a) - (g). "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-99-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, or Fax (202) 512-2250. Mail requests to P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Any VA Medical Center. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for listing under Veterans Health Services and Research Administration.
Headquarters Office
VA Central Office: Headquarters Health Administration Service (10C3), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-8303 or 8302.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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