PHW Participants are defined as the individuals receiving the benefits of PHW program activities (e.g. Fly Fishing 101 classes, casting instruction, fly tying classes, rod building classes, and fishing outings, etc.) on an ongoing basis. PHW Participants can be Military Service personnel (i.e., Active or Reserve Component, including Reserve and National Guard) or Veterans who meet our eligibility requirements:
(1) Military Service Personnel must meet both of the following criteria:
(a) Is a service member who has been wounded, ill, diseased, injured or obtained a medical condition during their active military service in line of duty. “In line of duty” means a wound, illness, disease, injury or medical condition was incurred during a period of active military service that was not result of the military service member’s own willful misconduct.
(b) Is recommended to take part in the PHW program by their military health care provider (e.g., military transition unit cadre, doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc.) at a Department of Defense (DOD) Hospital, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility, Military Transition Unit (e.g., Warrior Transition Unit, Wounded Warrior Battalion, etc.) or other military designated health care provider as requiring on-going medical treatment that eventually will lead to a disability. Please note that patients currently receiving treatment for any medical condition at any of these facilities that, in the opinion of their medical health provider, will not result in a disability rating are welcome to attend PHW activities while they are receiving treatment, will be counted as a participant while receiving treatment but are not eligible to be participants after treatment ends.
(2) Veterans must meet at least one of the following criteria:
(a) Is a disabled veteran with a disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) Is recommended to take part in your PHW program by VA staff, if granted referral authority by local VA leadership (e.g. OIF/OEF Coordinator), or VA medical personnel (e.g., recreational therapist, doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist etc.) at a VA facility (e.g., VA Medical Center, VA Outpatient Clinic, or VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, etc.).
(c) Has a Military Service rating and is awaiting their disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Note that a military Service rating is interim proof of eligibility with the understanding that disability rating will be issued.
