For veterans living with physical disabilities, the path to the gym or playing field often requires more than determination. It requires activity-specific prostheses and custom orthoses, which can be prohibitively expensive.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has worked to improve prosthetics for service-disabled veterans, including those who have experienced limb loss. Over the years, Veterans Affairs has pioneered advancements that have enhanced functionality and strengthened the connection between veterans and their prosthetic devices.
Despite those technological leaps, a significant gap remains for veterans seeking to maintain an active lifestyle, according to Disabled American Veterans.
“Current law restricts the VA from providing recreational prostheses unless they are considered a ‘direct and active component’ of medical treatment,” Jon Retzer, DAV National Legislative Director, said in a release. “As a result, prostheses that support exercise beyond a prescribed rehabilitation plan are typically not covered. This leaves many veterans sidelined once their initial clinical therapy concludes.”
The Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy (SPORT) Act (H.R. 1971/S. 3138) would expand the definition of medical services to explicitly include adaptive prostheses and custom devices for sports and other recreational activities. The bill opens a gateway to independence, confidence, and renewed possibilities. The legislation, introduced in both the House and Senate, recognizes that health is a lifelong pursuit – not a static goal.
“Our disabled veterans made tremendous sacrifices in defense of our nation, and they shouldn’t have to navigate VA red tape to get the medical equipment they need to lead active lifestyles,” Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), the bill’s sponsor, said. “The Veterans SPORT Act would make sure their prostheses are always covered.”
The legislation would expand the VA medical benefits package to fully cover recreational prostheses on a permanent basis.
“Every service-disabled veteran deserves the opportunity to lead an active, fulfilling life,” Coleman Nee, DAV National Commander, added. “For many, that independence depends on specialized adaptive equipment that goes beyond basic mobility. DAV is proud to support this legislation as it honors our commitment to the total well-being of those who served.”
To take action on the Veterans SPORT Act or other key veterans legislation, join DAV CAN (Commander’s Action Network) at davcan.org.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Juia@connectingvets.com.
