VA Form 10-7959e
Spina Bifida Healthcare Benefits Program Application
You are the adult child of a Vietnam veteran (or qualifying Korean War veteran) and you have spina bifida. You are applying for VA health care coverage for your spina-bifida-related care.
- Who fills it
- dependent
- Journey phase
- VA Healthcare
- Estimated time
- 30-45 minutes.
- When to file
- Anytime you qualify. Contact VA first to confirm the veteran parent's service meets the qualifying locations.
Official VA form page: https://www.va.gov/communitycare/programs/dependents/spinabifida/
Walk it box by box
Fill it out with your information
Open the official VA form, then work down the boxes below. Each one is pre-filled from what you have already entered in Claim Recon and explained in plain language with the wording a VA rater expects. Review and edit every answer, then export your worksheet and copy it onto the official form. We never fill out or submit anything for you.
Gather before you start
- ▸Your full name, SSN, DOB, address
- ▸Parent veteran's name, SSN, VA File Number
- ▸Documentation of parent's service in qualifying location (Vietnam, Korean DMZ)
- ▸Medical records documenting spina bifida diagnosis
Attach with the form
- ▸Veteran parent's DD-214 (service in qualifying location)
- ▸Birth certificate proving relationship to the veteran
- ▸Medical records documenting spina bifida diagnosis
Section I - Applicant Identification
Blocks 1-5Your name, SSN, DOB, addressPII
The child with spina bifida files this application, even if an adult. If the child is a minor or incapacitated adult, a guardian or parent files on their behalf.
(child's legal name, SSN, DOB, address)
Common mistakes
- ×The veteran parent applying instead of the child - the child is the beneficiary of this program.
Section II - Veteran Parent Information
Blocks 6-10Veteran parent's name, SSN, VA File Number, qualifying servicePII
The veteran parent who served in a qualifying location. Qualifying service: Vietnam (in-country service, Thailand, Korean DMZ during specified periods). VA will verify the parent's service location against DD-214 and service records.
(veteran parent's name, VA file number, service location)
Common mistakes
- ×Not documenting in-country Vietnam service if the DD-214 does not clearly show it - may need unit records or other service documentation.
Authority
- 38 USC 1813 - VA health care for children of Vietnam veterans and certain Korean War veterans diagnosed with spina bifida.
Section III - Medical Diagnosis
Blocks 11-14Spina bifida diagnosis and documentation
Describe the spina bifida diagnosis (type: myelomeningocele, meningocele, etc.) and attach medical records confirming the diagnosis. The diagnosis must be spina bifida (not spina bifida occulta).
e.g., Myelomeningocele spina bifida diagnosed at birth 1975, confirmed by Dr. Smith; medical records attached.
Common mistakes
- ×Spina bifida occulta does NOT qualify for this program - it covers spina bifida (myelomeningocele and meningocele types).
Section IV - Signature
Blocks 15-16Applicant or guardian signature and datePII
Sign and date. If the child is a minor or incapacitated adult, the guardian signs.
(applicant/guardian signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Not also filing VA Form 21-0304 if the veteran parent has not claimed the monetary allowance for their child's spina bifida - two separate programs, both may apply.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 USC 1813 - VA health care for children of Vietnam veterans and certain Korean War veterans diagnosed with spina bifida.