On Memorial Day, we remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to this country. For the hundreds of
thousands of veterans living with vision loss — whether from combat injury, exposure, or age-related cond
itions that developed later — today is also a reminder that independence and connection remain things worth supporting actively. vision loss veterans support
Vision loss affects veterans at a higher rate than the general population. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that visual impairment is among the most common service-connected disabilities. And because many forms of vision loss — macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma — develop gradually over years, the connection to service may not be immediately obvious when symptoms appear.
This guide is for veterans with vision loss, and for the families and caregivers who support them.
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VA Blind Rehabilitation Services
The VA operates one of the most comprehensive vision rehabilitation systems in the country through its Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS). Services include:
- Comprehensive low vision evaluations
- Inpatient rehabilitation at VA Blind Rehabilitation Centres
- Outpatient low vision clinics at VA medical centres
- Visual Impairment Services Teams (VIST) at most VA facilities — these coordinators help veterans navigate the full range of VA and community services available to them
Your VIST coordinator is typically the most useful first contact for any veteran newly navigating vision loss. They know what’s available locally, what funding applies to your situation, and how to fast-track the process.
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Assistive Technology Through the VA
Veterans with vision loss may qualify for assistive technology devices at no cost, including accessible sm
artphones, screen magnifiers, talking devices, and navigation tools. Coverage depends on eligibility and the specific device, but the VA has a strong track record of funding AT for vision-impaired veterans.
RealSAM Pocket — a voice-operated smartphone that replaces the standard phone interface entirely with voice control — is available to eligible veterans through VA programmes. If you or a family member is a veteran with vision loss and has been researching accessible phones, it’s worth asking your VA provider or VIST coordinator specifically about technology funding.
Our veterans and financial assistance page has more detail on how to approach this conversation and what to ask for.
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Organisations Supporting Blind Veterans and Vision Loss
Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) The BVA is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organisation specifically for blinded veterans. They provide peer support, advocacy, and help navigating VA benefits — and can connect veterans with others who have gone through the same process.
VA Visual Impairment Services Teams (VIST) Every major VA medical centre has a VIST coordinator. If you haven’t connected with yours, it’s the most practical first step for any veteran dealing with vision loss. Find your nearest VA at va.gov/find-locations.
Blind Veterans Association Regional Groups The BVA maintains regional groups across the country that meet in person and provide peer connection — often the most undervalued resource for veterans adjusting to life with vision loss.
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If Vision Loss isn’t Service-Connected
VA support is available to veterans with vision loss even when the condition isn’t directly service-connected. Non-service-connected veterans may be eligible for VA healthcare and assistive technology depending on their priority group, income, and other factors.
If you’re uncertain about eligibility, the American Foundation for the Blind’s veterans resources page provides guidance on navigating the system, and the BVA can help with appeals or benefit claims.
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A Note on Memorial Day vision loss veterans support
The veterans who built this country’s military history did so at significant personal cost. For those living with vision loss today — whether the connection to service is direct or indirect — the commitment to independence that shaped their service doesn’t disappear. It just looks different.
If you’d like to find out whether RealSAM Pocket might be the right fit for a veteran in your life, schedule a free demonstration — no pressure, no obligation.
Thank you to all who served.
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RealSAM Pocket is a voice-operated smartphone for blind and visually impaired people — one button, your voice, no visual interface required. Available to qualifying veterans through VA programmes. Learn more →
