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VA Benefits
Health care benefits and services from the Veterans Health Administration are part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If you are a veteran of the U.S. Military with multiple sclerosis (MS), then you may be eligible for Veterans Administration (VA) benefits if you:

• Are a veteran diagnosed with MS within seven years of your separation from the military, the VA could classify your illness as related to your military service and award you a service-connected disability.
• Separated more than seven years ago, you might still be eligible. You must have a diagnosis by a healthcare provider, preferably a neurologist, who directly links the symptoms you had during those seven years to your current diagnosis.

A crucial part of the process is to have copies of all your medical data and records and have all of this information ready at the beginning the of process. This should help your benefits application tremendously. Be sure to include all outside or non-Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and non-Department of Defense (DoD) medical records as well.

To begin the process, call your local Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) service office. A PVA service officer will let you know exactly what you need and will help you file your claim with the DVA.

Meanwhile, you can and should enroll in your local VA Medical Center. For this you will need a copy of your military discharge (DD Form 214 or equivalent) and VA Form 10-10EZ. Ask for an appointment with the neurology clinic's social worker or the rehab clinic social worker. This person will provide you with essential information, coordinate the details of your care, and can be an invaluable ally for you.
The MS Centers of Excellence
The MS Centers of Excellence (MSCoE) established by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in 2003, is committed to serving the health care needs of approximately 28,000 veterans with MS.

The Centers of Excellence are dedicated to further the understanding of the disease, its impact on veterans, and effective treatments to help manage MS symptoms. By partnering with veterans, caregivers, and health care providers the Centers hope to minimize disease impairment and increase the quality of life for veterans with MS.
Veterans Benefits Department
Veterans with spinal cord injury, as well as other veterans needing assistance with VA entitlements, medical care and other benefits often turn to PVA's Veterans Benefits Department (VBD).

VBD makes up the largest department in PVA with 160 appellate, field, and medical staff dedicated to serving paralyzed and/or disabled veterans. They provide free, comprehensive benefits and medical counseling, assistance, and representation.

VBD works through a national network of National Service Offices to answer questions and offer support ranging from on-site quality care reviews of health care facilities to guidance through the VA claims process to legal representation for appealing denied claims.

The PVA, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1946, has developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of their members—veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction.

PVA works to maximize the quality of life for its members and all people with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) as a leading advocate for health care, SCI/D research and education, veterans' benefits and rights, accessibility and the removal of architectural barriers, sports programs, and disability rights.

Through Paralyzed Veterans of America's Advocacy Program, Paralyzed Veterans offers up-to-date disability rights information and resources on this website. Paralyzed Veterans further advocates for people living with SCI/D through speaking out on Capitol Hill and by working with federal agencies such as the Department of Justice to see that nondiscrimination laws are implemented and enforced.


U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
www.va.gov

Paralyzed Veterans of America
www.pva.org

The MS Centers of Excellence
http://www.va.gov/ms/

National Council for Aging Care Guide on Military Veteran Benefit Options
http://www.aging.com/complete-guide-for-veteran-seniors/