Sensori-Neural Aids

This final rule amends Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations concerning sensori-neural aids. An existing regulation authorizes VA to provide sensori-neural aids (i.e., eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids) to seven specific groups of veterans identified in the regulation. The first four groups consist of veterans with the highest priority for care under VA's enrollment system, generally those with compensable service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, and those receiving increased VA pension based on their being housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance. Since this rule was first published, Congress changed the law to provide that veterans awarded the Purple Heart should have priority equal to former prisoners of war under VA's enrollment system. The intended effect of this final rule is to amend the regulation to allow veterans in receipt of a Purple Heart to receive sensori-neural aids.