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Veterans Health Administration
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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the component of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that implements the medical assistance program of the VA through the administration and operation of numerous VA outpatient clinics, hospitals, medical centers and longterm healthcare facilities (i.e., nursing homes).
VHA alone has far more employees than all other elements of the VA combined have. The origin of the VHA dates all the way back to the first federal military veterans hospital (Hand Hospital) in Pittsburgh in 1778.
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Eligibility for benefits
By Federal law, eligibility for benefits is determined by a system of eight Priority Groups. Retirees from military service, veterans with service-connected injuries or conditions rated by VA, and Purple Heart recipients are within the higher priority groups.
Veterans without rated service-connected conditions may become eligible based on financial need, adjusted for local cost of living. Veterans who do not have service-connected disabilities totaling 50% or more may be subject to copayments for any care they received for nonservice-connected conditions.
Eligibility for VA dental care and nursing home care are much more restricted. VA nursing homes are primarily for veterans needing care for a service-connected condition, or who have service-connected disability ratings of 70% or higher. Reservists and National Guardsmen who served stateside during peacetime generally do not qualify for VA medical benefits. (reference eligibility Priority Groups).
VeteransAffairs | Veterans.gov | VeteransAffairs.gov | VA.GOV | Veterans Affairs Offices | Veterans.com
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