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Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Benefits and Assistance are Available for Blind and Low-Vision Veterans

    Veterans who experience issues associated with low vision or blindness have a number of options for assistance and benefits that can help to improve their quality of life.

    According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the leading cause of vision loss in veterans are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, neurologic vision loss and glaucoma. The VA offers vision rehabilitation programs for individuals who may be having trouble driving, or may have increased falls, both side effects of vision loss.

    The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) also administers a Blind Veterans Pension program that provides eligible veterans with a monthly pension of $150, in addition to their VA disability compensation. Eligibility requirements include residency in Pennsylvania on entry into service, discharge under conditions other than dishonorable, and service-connected visual impairments rated at 90-100% permanently disabling.

    Veterans interested in applying for this pension should contact their County Director of Veterans Affairs in the county where they reside.