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| Vol. 25, No. 1 |
| January 15, 2003 |
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Veterans with Spinal Cord Injuries Receive Multiple Benefits By BOBBI GRUNER Houston VA Medical Center Approximately 250,000 people in the United States have spinal cord injuries and 10,000 more sustain these injuries every year. About 40,000 are veterans eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs medical care. About 60 percent of veterans with spinal cord injuries are eligible not only for health care, but also for monetary or other benefits because they have a service-connected disability – their problem occurred or worsened during military service. In the other cases, their injuries are not related to their military service, though these veterans still can receive VA medical care. Spinal cord injuries are commonly referred to by the acronym, SCI. What is SCI? The spinal cord is the main pathway for transmitting information between the brain and nerves that lead to muscles, skin, internal organs and glands. Injury to the spinal cord disrupts movement, sensation and function. Paraplegia results from injury to the lower part of the spinal cord, causing paralysis of the lower part of the body, including the bowel and bladder. Quadriplegia results from injury to the spinal cord in the neck area, causing paralysis to the lower body, upper body and arms. Compensation VA pays disability compensation to about 25,000 veterans for service-related disabilities in which the spinal column or nearby structures are affected. A veteran rated by VA as 100 percent disabled may receive additional compensation if the injury resulted in loss of use of hands or feet or in other disabilities. About a third of veterans with SCI are compensated $2,163 per month for being 100 percent disabled. Their disability rating may include other service-connected disabilities not related to their spinal injury. Many veterans with service-connected disabilities are also entitled to vocational counseling, grants for adapted housing and automobiles, a clothing allowance and payment for home and attendant care. Houston SCI Center Located within the Houston VA Medical Center, the Houston SCI Care Line is the spinal cord center for the South Central Veterans Health Care Network. The center provides comprehensive rehabilitation services and sustaining medical care for veterans with spinal cord injury or dysfunction. Sustaining medical care includes preventive medical care, the treatment of acute illnesses, and the treatment of related medical and surgical complications. All patients receive a complete medical, psychological, and social assessment; development of an individualized treatment plan and discharge plan; appropriate medical and surgical treatments, interventions, and referrals; education and training for the person served, family members/support systems, attendants, and health care professionals; and communication and coordination with the interdisciplinary treatment team to facilitate service delivery, including discussion of weekly treatment plan and goals.
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