For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military

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See also: In The Military

Auto benefits available
for certain disabilities

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Question: I am a disabled veteran and unable to drive a standard car. I recently learned the VA would provide automobile assistance so I can be more mobile. Can you explain?

Answer: Veterans qualify for an automobile assistance benefit if they have service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a certain degree. Veterans entitled to compensation for immobility of one or both knees, or one or both hips, also qualify.

There is a one-time payment by VA of not more than $9,000 toward the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance. VA pays for adaptive equipment and for repair, replacement or reinstallation required because of disability for the safe operation of a vehicle purchased with VA assistance.

For more information, call the VA Medical Center at 433-0600.

Q: Is VA or Department of Defense conducting research to learn more about the health problems of veterans who served in the war in Afghanistan? Where can I obtain information about the medical problems of Afghanistan veterans?

A: Such research is ongoing or planned by the Centers for the Study of War-Related Illnesses and elsewhere in VA and Department of Defense.

To obtain information on medical problems related to Afghanistan, contact the VA Medical Center at 433-0600, or the Environmental Agents Service (131), VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. For health benefit information, call toll-free (877) 222-8387. Visit www.va.gov/hawaii or the national site at www.va.gov/vbs/health for more on health benefits.

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If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.

Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.