How do I get durable medical equipment (like a shoulder pillow or orthotics) covered through VA?

Veterans enrolled in VA health care can often obtain durable medical equipment (DME) — items such as orthopedic pillows, braces, orthotic inserts, canes, or similar supportive devices — at no cost if a VA provider determines they are medically necessary. This is a health care benefit administered through VA's Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service, not a disability compensation claim, so it does not require filing a new VA Form 21-526EZ or going through the same evidentiary process as a rating claim.

The general process works like this: a veteran identifies a specific product (often one that is FSA/HSA-eligible, since that indicates it is a recognized medical device) and sends a secure message through the MyHealtheVet portal to their primary care team, physical therapist, or the specific specialty clinic connected to the condition (for example, orthopedics for a shoulder issue, podiatry for footwear). The message typically includes a link to the exact item, a brief explanation of the medical need, and the associated diagnosis or condition. If the provider agrees the item is appropriate, they submit a consult or referral to Prosthetics, which processes and ships the item directly to the veteran. Approval and processing times vary significantly by facility, provider judgment, and item cost, so there is no fixed timeline or guaranteed outcome — some requests are approved quickly, others take longer or require additional justification, and some are denied if the provider does not believe the item is medically indicated.

Having a service-connected rating for the relevant condition (such as a shoulder disability) can make the medical necessity easier to establish, since the diagnosis and impairment are already documented in the VA record, but a compensation rating itself is not what authorizes the equipment — it is the treating provider's clinical determination. Veterans without a shoulder-related rating can still request DME if a VA provider documents the medical need based on evaluation and treatment history.

If you want to pursue this, log into MyHealtheVet, find the secure messaging feature, and send a message to the clinic managing the relevant condition with a direct link to the specific item and a short description of why it is needed; if you do not have an established relationship with that specialty clinic, ask your primary care provider to submit the referral or consult on your behalf.