N.Y. VAW Law § 14

§ 14. Previous disability. The fact that a volunteer ambulance worker\nhas suffered previous disability or received benefits therefor as\nprovided in the workers' compensation law, or this chapter shall not\npreclude him from benefits for a later injury nor preclude death\nbenefits for death resulting therefrom; provided, however, that a\nvolunteer ambulance worker who is suffering from a previous disability\nshall not receive benefits for a later injury in excess of the benefits\nallowed for such injury when considered by itself and not in conjunction\nwith the previous disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions\nof this section, if a volunteer ambulance worker has previously incurred\npermanent partial disability through the loss or loss of use of one\nhand, one arm, one foot, one leg, or one eye, and suffers the loss or\nloss of use of another such major member or eye, he may be adjudged\npermanently totally disabled and receive benefits for permanent total\ndisability as provided in section eight of this article.\n