In Vitro Fertilization Now a VA Benefit

Severely injured veterans with service-connected disabilities can now get reproductive treatments from the Department of Veterans Affairs as part of their benefits package. The biggest bonus will be in vitro fertilization (IVF), which had been banned until now. Additionally, there will be fertility counseling and treatments (assisted reproductive technologies, or ART) for the spouses of those veterans. The addition of IVF will be a huge step forward for veterans who were injured by explosions, leaving them unable to procreate due to genitourinary or spinal cord injury. Until now, the VA has provided certain services and treatments, limited to counseling, blood testing, surgical correction, medication, diagnostics and reversal of vasectomies and tubal ligations. The 2012 PCS Fact Sheet: Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies specifically says, “The medical benefits package explicitly prohibits in vitro fertilization.” It did, however, cover in vitro for active-duty service members through the Department of Defense, but only six attempts in three IVF cycles. Additionally, “Only the veteran is eligible for the VA-covered infertility treatment services.” The new benefits are funded only through Sept. 30, 2018, so if you’re considering using any of these benefits, especially IVF, don’t delay. Those treatments don’t always “take” on the first attempt, so begin early. Call the VA now to schedule a consultation and evaluation if your injury is already documented as being service connected. If you need help filing a claim and proving service-connection, contact the Wounded Warrior Project [www.woundedwarriorproject.org or 1-877832-6997]. If you want to read the complete rule in the Federal Register, go to www.federalregister.gov and search for Fertility Counseling and Treatment for Certain Veterans and Spouses, dated Jan. 19, 2017. To show how serious the VA is about this, it’s implemented the rule without delaying it for a public comment period.