While many veterans across the country receive assistance from the VA to deal with a number of health care issues, one group has found a surprising lack of help with one type of medical problem. Those rendered infertile by the wounds inflicted during their service often find that they are prohibited from receiving assistance with in vitro fertilization.
In fact, this is because federal law bans the VA from providing access to in vitro treatments, and the high cost of such procedures – well into the five figures – may prevent some veterans from having children altogether, according to a report from the New York Times. The VA will pay for their sperm or eggs to be frozen prior to their deployment, but the former servicemembers must pay for the treatments in question out of pocket in many cases.
"At that time you're not thinking about kids," Sherman Gillums Jr., deputy executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America, told the newspaper. "Having a kid is the least of your worries. You don't even know how your body is going to turn out."
Many organizations exist to help veterans cover health care costs when needed, so those affected by such issues may want to reach out and ask for help.