(a) A General Caregiver is a person who:
(1) Is not a Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver; and
(2) Provides personal care services to a covered veteran under this section, even if the individual does not reside with the veteran.
(b) A covered veteran, for purposes of this section, is a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and needs personal care services because the veteran either:
(1) Is unable to perform an activity of daily living; or
(2) Needs supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury.
(c) No application or clinical evaluation is required to obtain benefits as a General Caregiver. Veterans or General Caregivers may request any of the benefits listed in Sec. 71.40(a) as needed, from the appropriate VA clinicians and staff at their local VA facilities.
(d) A veteran is not required to meet the eligibility requirements in Sec. 71.20 to be considered a covered veteran. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G(b)(1), (2)) [76 FR 26172, May 5, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 1377, Jan. 9, 2015]