My father was diagnosed with ALS in October 2017. He served in the US Air Force for 20 years, and VA classified him as 100% service-related disability. His disease has progressed, and he is confined to a wheelchair or bed. Mom has had breast cancer, a mastectomy has, type 2 diabetes, and has had 2 toes amputated. She also has auto-immune hemolytic anemia. When Dad loses his fight with ALS, Mom will need all the assistance she can get from VA, including the additional benefit to surviving spouse of a veteran with 100% service-related disability. Dad will most likely not survive 8 years, as required for the benefit. The survival prognosis for a patient with ALS is 1-5 years.