Noteboom The Law Firm

VA Facilities May Soon Allow More Service Dogs

Attempting to make Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities service-dog friendly has been a battle raging for quite some time, and one that is very important to thousands of veterans with disabilities. The House Veterans Affairs Committee passed the bill that will allow service dogs access to "any VA property or in any VA facility, including any facility or property receiving VA funding," according to an article in The Air Force Times.

HR 2074 was proposed and voted on seemingly because the VA refuses to change their own regulations regarding service dog access in their facilities.

This bill is not just one that will make the VA more "dog-friendly." Current regulations and law only mandate the VA allow guide dogs into their facilities as they are the only "assistance animals" for which federal law provides. Current VA rules allow for flexibility by local VA facility directors as to allowing service dog access.

HR 2074 does not, in any way, define what a service dog is, or what services those dogs provide. It simply forces the VA to allow access to service dogs in its facilities. Likely, however, access to certain areas of VA facilities, such as operating rooms, etc. would be limited.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.