Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services
VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS)
About PSAS
VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) is the largest and most comprehensive provider of prosthetic devices and sensory aids in the world. Although the term "prosthetic device" may suggest images of artificial limbs, it actually refers to any device that supports or replaces a body part or function.
PSAS provides a full range of equipment and services to Veterans. These range from items worn by the Veteran, such as an artificial limb or hearing aid; those that improve accessibility, such as ramps and vehicle modifications; to devices surgically placed in the Veteran, such as hips and pacemakers.
The term “prosthetic” includes artificial limbs and devices that support or replace a body part or function. General eligibility for prosthetic services/items is for Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system who have a medical need for a prosthetic service/item. Additional eligibility criteria may apply for specific programs.
Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system and referred by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician can receive a full range of services and durable medical equipment, including but not limited to:
- Durable medical equipment
- Mobility aids, such as walkers and wheelchairs
- Communication and assistive devices
- Home oxygen services
- Surgical Implants
- Recreational / rehabilitative equipment
- Clinical orthotic and prosthetic custom-fabricated and fitted devices (e.g., shoe inserts, braces, artificial limbs)
- Prosthetic item repairs
- Aids for blindness and visual impairment
- Prosthetic Benefit Programs, including: Clothing Allowance; Home Improvement & Structural Alterations; Automobile Adaptive Equipment; Service Dog Veterinary Health Insurance Benefits
- Sensory Aids including hearing aids and eyeglasses provided to Veterans who qualify (i.e., former prisoners of war or Purple Heart recipients, Veterans with service connected disabilities, non-compensable service connected disability for hearing loss, permanently housebound or receive increased pension based on need for aid and attendance, or Veterans enrolled in the vocational rehabilitation program)
Clinical orthotic and prosthetic custom-fabricated and fitted devices
BRACING
Your primary care physician or specialty clinic may refer you to Prosthetics to be evaluated for an orthosis, or brace. We have a wide range of braces available to meet your needs, based upon your medical condition. Your evaluation with your provider will guide the referral. We will then schedule an appointment with you to measure, fit, and adjust the brace to ensure the best outcome for you.
For more complex conditions, your physician may first refer you to a specialty clinic such as Orthopedics, Podiatry, or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation for a more thorough evaluation. Specialists may perform additional tests or imaging to determine the best course of action for your specific needs, then refer you to Prosthetics for fitting and fabrication of the most appropriate brace.
THERAPUTIC FOOTWEAR
Veterans who meet certain eligibility criteria (determined at the national level by VA Central Office) may receive therapeutic footwear from the VA. A foot examination is required prior to referral to Prosthetics. The foot exam may be conducted by either your primary care team, Podiatry, or Wound Care to determine your needs for footwear. We will then schedule an appointment with you to measure, fit, and modify the footwear according to your condition.
COMPRESSION GARMENTS
Compression garments may be prescribed by a physician for a wide range of conditions. Proper fit and usage is critical to your success in wearing them, which is why measurement of the affected extremities is necessary prior to issuance.
PROSTHETICS (ARTIFICIAL LIMBS)
AMPUTEE CLINIC
If you have undergone an amputation or have been told you may need one, we are here to help. You may contact our Amputee Clinic directly to schedule an appointment for evaluation, or have your physician submit a consult to Amputee Clinic.
Amputee clinic is a multi-disciplinary clinic staffed with healthcare providers from Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, including a physiatrist and a prosthetist. The team will work with you in prescribing you a prosthesis that best matches your abilities and goals. Amputee Clinic is your point of contact to manage your prosthetic and rehabilitation needs.
Your prosthesis may be provided by the VA no matter where and when your amputation surgery was performed, or if the amputation is related to a service-connected condition or not. You may choose to have your prosthesis evaluated, fabricated, and fit in an accredited laboratory at the VA, or you have the option to be seen by a VA-approved and accredited prosthetist in the community.
PSAS Team
To best serve the Veteran population that uses prosthetic appliances, sensory aids, medical equipment and medical supplies we have an interdisciplinary team that includes:
- Prosthetic Representatives
- Prosthetic Purchasing Agents
- Prosthetists
- Orthotists
- Preservation, Amputation, Care and Treatment (PACT) coordinators
- Visual Impairment Service Teams (VIST) coordinators
- Blind Rehabilitation Specialists
- Physician/Surgeons
- Nurses
- Therapists
- Podiatrists
- Optometrists/Ophthalmologists
Employer of Choice
PSAS is an employer of choice. People join the prosthetics workforce because it is not only a great place to work; it is a great benefit to others. VA offers competitive salaries and excellent benefit packages. The benefits include flexible work week schedules, paid holidays, both annual and sick leave and retirement plans. Health, dental, vision and life insurance and flexible health spending accounts are also offered. To get more information about working for the VA or to apply, go to the VA Jobs website or contact your local VA Medical Center employment office.
