Veterans Not Aware PTSD Service Dogs Not Covered by VA?

"VA says no service dogs benefits warranted for PTSD sufferers" came out in 2012.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay service-dog benefits to veterans with vision, hearing or mobility-related injuries but not to veterans suffering only with post-traumatic-stress-disorder and other mental health disabilities.

A 67-page, final draft of rules concerning veterans in need of service dogs was published today in the Federal Register and will become final in 30 days. In justifying its decision, the VA cited “nationally established” and “widely accepted” training protocols for sight, hearing and mobility-assistance dogs and the lack of similar training protocols for mental health service dogs.

In addition, because there is little clinical research on mental health service dogs, the “VA has not yet been able to determine that these dogs provide medical benefit to veterans with mental illness.”

So why was this veteran shocked because he didn't know about this?

Local veteran with PTSD finds peace with his service dog, but learns VA won’t cover cost
Q13FOX
BY Q13 FOX NEWS STAFF AND TINA PATEL
OCTOBER 1, 2014

Local veteran with PTSD finds peace with his service dog, but learns VA won’t cover cost

SEATTLE — A local veteran diagnosed with crippling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has finally found some relief — but it didn’t come in the form of a pill.

Instead, he found peace with a service dog.

But as Tina Patel reports, he was shocked to learn his VA benefits wouldn’t cover the cost.

Veterans have been fighting to have the VA approve of service dogs for PTSD for years. In 2010 there was a bill presented and passed to have a pilot study done.

Franken's Service Dog for Vets Bill Passes Senate
The Senate passed Sen. Al Franken's first piece of legislation, a bill aimed at providing service dogs to more disabled veterans.

The Service Dogs for Veterans Act would create a pilot program within the Veterans Administration. The VA would partner with non-profit groups which train service dogs.

The bill was incorporated into the Defense Authorization bill for fiscal year 2010 and passed as part of the larger bill.

But as you can see above, it did little good.