VA Form 10-0137. VA Advance Directive: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will
The VA Form 10-0137 VA Advance Directive: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will is a legal document used by veterans to outline their healthcare preferences in the event they become incapacitated or unable to make decisions for themselves. The form consists of two parts: the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and the Living Will.
The Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care allows the veteran to appoint an agent to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves. The Living Will outlines the veteran's wishes for end-of-life care, such as whether they want life-sustaining treatment or not.
Important fields on the form include the veteran's personal information, the appointed agent's information, and specific instructions for end-of-life care. The parties involved are the veteran, the appointed agent, and any healthcare providers involved in the veteran's care.
When compiling the form, the veteran will need to provide their personal information, including their name, address, and contact information. They will also need to select an agent and provide their contact information. Additional documents that may need to be attached include a copy of the veteran's ID and any legal documents related to their healthcare.
Application examples include veterans who want to ensure their healthcare preferences are known and respected in the event they become incapacitated. Practice and use cases include veterans who have a chronic illness or are receiving end-of-life care.
Benefits of the form include ensuring the veteran's healthcare preferences are known and respected, while the risks and challenges include potential disagreements among family members or healthcare providers.
The form affects the future of the participants by providing peace of mind that their healthcare preferences will be respected, even if they are unable to make decisions for themselves. The form is submitted to the VA and stored in their records.