Fertility, Adoption and Birth Defect Benefits

VA can cover specialized fertility care, including assisted reproductive technology (ART) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), for veterans enrolled in VA health care who cannot have children without fertility treatment because of a VA-rated service-connected condition, or its treatment (38 C.F.R. 17.380 and 17.412; VHA Directive 1334).

• ART covers treatments that handle eggs, sperm, or embryos to preserve fertility or achieve pregnancy, including IVF, embryo transfer, freezing eggs, sperm, or embryos, genetic testing of embryos, and manipulation of sperm and eggs.
• Eligible veterans may be single, unmarried, or married. VA can pay only for the eligible veteran and a lawful spouse.
• Donor eggs, sperm, and embryos can be used, but you pay to obtain them.

A "covered veteran" (one whose service-connected disability means they cannot have a child without fertility treatment) can be reimbursed up to $2,000 per adopted child for qualifying adoption expenses.

• The child must be under 18.
• Married or single adoptions, infant adoptions, intercountry adoptions, and adoptions of children with special needs all count.
• The adoption must have become final after September 29, 2016.
• For a foreign child, you can request reimbursement only after the child is granted U.S. citizenship.
• Expenses already paid by another federal, state, or local adoption benefit cannot be reimbursed again.

Birth children of certain Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand veterans who are diagnosed with spina bifida (except spina bifida occulta) can get the Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program: outpatient and inpatient care, pharmacy, prosthetics, medical equipment, and supplies. Call 833-930-0816. These children also qualify for a monthly allowance; see VA's spina bifida page.

The Spina Bifida Health Care Program meets the health law's minimum coverage requirement, so enrolled children need no other coverage to satisfy it.

Biological children of women veterans who served in Vietnam at any time from February 28, 1961 through May 7, 1975 may get benefits for birth defects linked to the mother's service that cause a permanent physical or mental disability.

• A monthly allowance is paid at one of four levels, based on how severe the child's permanent disability is.
• Not covered: conditions from family disorders, birth-related injuries, or fetal or newborn conditions with well-established causes.