The VA program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offers enhanced clinical support for caregivers of eligible Veterans who are seriously injured. Previously, this support was only available for caregivers of Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty of active military, naval, or air service on or before May 7, 1975. However, with the expansion, support is now also available for caregivers of Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty of active military, naval, or air service on or before September 11, 2001.
Previously the VA required a connection between the need for personal care services and the qualifying serious injury. Now the PCAFC eliminates the need for a connection between personal care services and the qualifying serious injury. Further, it redefines serious injury to now include any service-connected disability—regardless of whether it resulted from an injury, illness or disease. This greatly expanded program eligibility.
The reason that this is important is that, in most cases, the eligible Veteran has multiple conditions that may warrant a need for personal care services. A Veteran’s needs may be so complex that it can be difficult to determine what specific condition, out of many, causes the need for personal care services.
If you have questions about VA disability benefits, please contact the experienced Veterans’ disability attorneys at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. today for a free case evaluation. Gardberg & Kemmerly serves Veterans across the United States from their home office in Mobile, Alabama. Please feel free to call the office at 251-343-1111 or 800-332-1529 for a free consultation.