This is in response to your inquiry to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dated April 8, 2011.
We are grateful for your service to our country.
Yes. In the past, VA paid one annual clothing allowance, even if you have more than one service-connected condition requiring the use of qualifying appliances or prescription medication that wore out, tore, or stained clothing of both upper and lower extremities.
Now, due to a Federal Circuit Court decision, VA will pay a second annual clothing allowance for a service-connected condition for a different set of extremities (upper or lower) where another qualifying appliance or prescription medication is used that wears out/tears or irreparably damages the outer garments.
To be eligible to receive VA clothing allowance, a Veteran must have a service-connected disability or condition, or a disability compensable under 38 USC 1151 that requires the Veteran to wear or use a prosthetic or orthopedic device that wears out or tears clothing. This includes a Veteran who uses medication prescribed by a physician for a service-connected skin condition, which causes irreparable damage to outer garments. Wheelchair-bound Veterans should also apply for this benefit.
To apply for the clothing allowance, please complete VA Form 10-8678, Application for Annual Clothing Allowance, and return it to the VA medical center (VAMC) where you receive treatment. The form should be addressed to the attention of the Prosthetics Department. A copy of this form has been attached to this reply for your convenience; however, you may also print this form from the following web site: http://vaww4.va.gov/vaforms/.
VA clothing allowances are typically paid toward the end of August of the current year. As such, claims for VA clothing allowance must be received by August 1st of the current year, or they will not be considered.
Once the VAMC processes the application, you will receive a letter informing you as to whether or not the clothing allowance payment will be recurring or if you will have to apply for the benefit every year.
VA medical centers qualify each Veteran for the clothing allowance on one of the three following categories:
1) Static Disability: recurring - no application is required after initial application;
2) Nonstatic Disability: reviewed each year - must apply each year (service-connected skin condition is not considered static);
3) Military Retirees who are not receiving VA compensation because they have not waived military retirement must apply each year.
We are grateful for your service to our country.
Yes. In the past, VA paid one annual clothing allowance, even if you have more than one service-connected condition requiring the use of qualifying appliances or prescription medication that wore out, tore, or stained clothing of both upper and lower extremities.
Now, due to a Federal Circuit Court decision, VA will pay a second annual clothing allowance for a service-connected condition for a different set of extremities (upper or lower) where another qualifying appliance or prescription medication is used that wears out/tears or irreparably damages the outer garments.
To be eligible to receive VA clothing allowance, a Veteran must have a service-connected disability or condition, or a disability compensable under 38 USC 1151 that requires the Veteran to wear or use a prosthetic or orthopedic device that wears out or tears clothing. This includes a Veteran who uses medication prescribed by a physician for a service-connected skin condition, which causes irreparable damage to outer garments. Wheelchair-bound Veterans should also apply for this benefit.
To apply for the clothing allowance, please complete VA Form 10-8678, Application for Annual Clothing Allowance, and return it to the VA medical center (VAMC) where you receive treatment. The form should be addressed to the attention of the Prosthetics Department. A copy of this form has been attached to this reply for your convenience; however, you may also print this form from the following web site: http://vaww4.va.gov/vaforms/.
VA clothing allowances are typically paid toward the end of August of the current year. As such, claims for VA clothing allowance must be received by August 1st of the current year, or they will not be considered.
Once the VAMC processes the application, you will receive a letter informing you as to whether or not the clothing allowance payment will be recurring or if you will have to apply for the benefit every year.
VA medical centers qualify each Veteran for the clothing allowance on one of the three following categories:
1) Static Disability: recurring - no application is required after initial application;
2) Nonstatic Disability: reviewed each year - must apply each year (service-connected skin condition is not considered static);
3) Military Retirees who are not receiving VA compensation because they have not waived military retirement must apply each year.
