Clothing Allowance Question in VA Policies and Procedures Forum

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Clothing Allowance Question

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1967RVN

Clothing Allowance Question

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Posts: 843

Mar 14 09 6:07 PM

I'm going out of town for a couple of months and may not be back to sign the annual form Regional Office sends for continuation of clothing allowance. Am I able to call RO and make a request for early send-out of the form so I can sign it before I leave town in early Jun?

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ong rau

caq

#1

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Posts: 892

Mar 14 09 7:40 PM

Don't know much about this but I would not trust the va to make an exception.

Have someone check your mail and forward it to you, then send it registered.

JMHO

OR

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Danusmc041

#2

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Posts: 19

Mar 14 09 8:43 PM

Where do you live? The reason I'm asking is that I have been getting a clothing allowance for the past 5 years every August like clock work and have never signed any request or any other paper work. The end of the first year I did call and ask how long I was supposed to get it and was told that it was permanent. Someone may have put it in the records that way but I don't know for sure. I live in Louisiana and get my ratings out of New Orleans. I go to the VA hospital in Alexandria, LA.

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1967RVN

#3

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Posts: 843

Mar 15 09 7:55 AM

I live in Okla, I've only had clothing allowance for one year. I applied at the OKC VAMC Prostetic Dept. initally and rec'd the allowance and Also a letter that I would receive a "certification" letter every year from Regional Office and that's where I stand at present. Maybe my original question should have been "When do they send the cert. letter out?" Thanks a lot for responding, itis appreciated!

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mr G777

#4

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Posts: 5779

Mar 17 09 10:32 PM

i was told last year that i was "static",and i would recieve a letter on this ,but i never recieved it !!! the clothing allowance dept ,seems to be run like a loose cannon !!!

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KP4VCC

#5

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Posts: 1340

Mar 17 09 10:49 PM

1967RVN

On or around the month of August each year you should visit the prosthetic department and ask for the form. To qualify you must use a prosthetic device like crushes, wheel chair, Back brace or any medication that may damage your garment or clothes and been issue by your PCP or any treated physician. To my understanding and I'm not 100% sure once you apply for the clothing allowance for three consecutive years, and your doctor certify the condition and the prosthetic department certify as a permanent item needed by you the payment then is turn to automatic each year.

"LIFE IS A SERIES OF ENCOUNTERS AND FAREWELLS" evw
and through them we grow and become more mature.

80% SC/PT, IU, SSDI, OWCP

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71infantry

#6

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Posts: 4990

Mar 17 09 11:24 PM

The clothing allowance is permanent after three years. Until you have received it for three years you must request it each year and be "recertified".

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jumpordie

#7

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Posts: 150

Mar 18 09 5:53 AM

thats what happened to me.

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gksl4522

#8

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Posts: 1213

Mar 18 09 4:21 PM

Because of serious back problems (non sc) and heart disease (sc) I have been issued a lot of stuff. Is the amount of money worth the hassle? I always thought that was for sc conditions with loss of limbs, ect.

Over the past year I have received everything from a walking stick to a Jazzy Rider with lift installed on the car. Also hospital bed with the pull up bar, potties, bath assecessories, ect. No one mentioned a clothing allowance. Is that one of them "don't ask, don't get" type of benefit?

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KP4VCC

#9

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Posts: 1340

Mar 18 09 4:34 PM

gksl4522, visit your VA hospital or your clinic and go to the prosthetic department and let them know that you will like to apply for the clothing allowance. They will ask to write some information on the form, like prosthetic device, medications etc and they will process the form and around the end of August the beginning of September you should get a respond. If you qualify you will received a deposit on your account (around 650.00) if disapprove you will receive a letter denying the service and the document to appeal if you disagree with their determination. Good Luck.

"LIFE IS A SERIES OF ENCOUNTERS AND FAREWELLS" evw
and through them we grow and become more mature.

80% SC/PT, IU, SSDI, OWCP

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1967RVN

#10

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Posts: 843

Mar 18 09 4:49 PM

I think I'll have my "loose cannon" sister-in-law pick up my mail and somehow get her to send me all letters from regionla office. That's the only way I know of that I can receive the letter and recertify in time. I guess I could go to any Post Office and get a general delivery address. I suspect if I don't recertify, I'lll have to go through the entier process again (Not that it's difficult) but the end result may not be what I want. Thanks guys for your information, you've been great!

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71infantry

#11

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Posts: 4990

Mar 18 09 7:34 PM

gksl4522 wrote:

Because of serious back problems (non sc) and heart disease (sc) I have been issued a lot of stuff. Is the amount of money worth the hassle? I always thought that was for sc conditions with loss of limbs, ect.

Over the past year I have received everything from a walking stick to a Jazzy Rider with lift installed on the car. Also hospital bed with the pull up bar, potties, bath assecessories, ect. No one mentioned a clothing allowance. Is that one of them "don't ask, don't get" type of benefit?

If your conditions are not service connected then you will not qualify for a clothing allowance. I do not understand how you received a walking stick, a jazzy rider and lift for medical conditions that are not service connected. I even question why you received a hospital bed. Hell I have requested a hospital bed for years because of my service connected back and leg injuries and I can't get one... No matter I am no doctor, I just wonder how you received what you did for non-service connected disability. The fact remains that to legally receive a clothing allowance you must be service connected for a medical problem that due to appliances or creams tend to wear your clothing out.

See the clothing allowance publication for more information.

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1641

Edited 1 time by 71infantry Mar 18 09 7:48 PM.

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71infantry

#12

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Posts: 4990

Mar 18 09 7:39 PM

1967RVN wrote:
I think I'll have my "loose cannon" sister-in-law pick up my mail and somehow get her to send me all letters from regionla office. That's the only way I know of that I can receive the letter and recertify in time. I guess I could go to any Post Office and get a general delivery address. I suspect if I don't recertify, I'lll have to go through the entier process again (Not that it's difficult) but the end result may not be what I want. Thanks guys for your information, you've been great!

You can submit the form anytime you want there is no time period in which to request the clothing allowance. You do not need to go the hospital to get a form just download it, and mail it to your VA regional office. If it is approved the money will be in your bank account in August, if not approved you will not even get a denial letter. Been there done that......

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/21-8678.pdf

Edited 2 times by 71infantry Mar 18 09 7:45 PM.

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LongRangeDeath

#13

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Posts: 114

Mar 19 09 8:44 AM

Is this for only those rated at 100%? I use 2 knee braces, and have to buy pants 1 size bigger so they will fit under them. I was just rated at 50%, is this something I am eligible for?

Semper Fi!

Mike

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Survivir

#14

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Posts: 10248

Mar 19 09 9:57 AM

1967RVN wrote: I think I'll have my "loose cannon" sister-in-law pick up my mail and somehow get her to send me all letters from regionla office. That's the only way I know of that I can receive the letter and recertify in time. I guess I could go to any Post Office and get a general delivery address. I suspect if I don't recertify, I'lll have to go through the entier process again (Not that it's difficult) but the end result may not be what I want. Thanks guys for your information, you've been great!

Call or Go to your local UPS Store(or other places where they rent mail boxes) and Rent a Small Mail Box. Then give the Post Office a Temporary Change of Address...so your mail gets FORWARDED from your current address to your UPS Store Mail Box(if you don't use a UPS Store...make sure that the one you do use...will FORWARD your mail). The UPS Store will FORWARD Your Mail to where ever you are...(The Post Office will NOT do that)...and this way You don't have to rely on someone else picking up your mail and sending it to you...and also nothing is changed with the VA's current address for You, either.

Then when you get back...just cancel your Temporary Change of Address with the Post Office...and everything with be back to the way it was.

Just make sure you explain to whomever you Rent a Mail Box From...what you want done...so there is no Failure To Communicate.(Pun Intended).

Survivir

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71infantry

#15

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Posts: 4990

Mar 19 09 1:14 PM

LongRangeDeath wrote:
Is this for only those rated at 100%? I use 2 knee braces, and have to buy pants 1 size bigger so they will fit under them. I was just rated at 50%, is this something I am eligible for?

Semper Fi!

Mike

If you have knee braces for a service connected disability your are eligable down load the handbook at the link I posted above....it does not requrie any specifc rating just service connection

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71infantry

#16

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Posts: 4990

Mar 19 09 1:23 PM

Survivir wrote:

1967RVN wrote: I think I'll have my "loose cannon" sister-in-law pick up my mail and somehow get her to send me all letters from regionla office. That's the only way I know of that I can receive the letter and recertify in time. I guess I could go to any Post Office and get a general delivery address. I suspect if I don't recertify, I'lll have to go through the entier process again (Not that it's difficult) but the end result may not be what I want. Thanks guys for your information, you've been great!

Call or Go to your local UPS Store(or other places where they rent mail boxes) and Rent a Small Mail Box. Then give the Post Office a Temporary Change of Address...so your mail gets FORWARDED from your current address to your UPS Store Mail Box(if you don't use a UPS Store...make sure that the one you do use...will FORWARD your mail). The UPS Store will FORWARD Your Mail to where ever you are...(The Post Office will NOT do that)...and this way You don't have to rely on someone else picking up your mail and sending it to you...and also nothing is changed with the VA's current address for You, either.

Then when you get back...just cancel your Temporary Change of Address with the Post Office...and everything with be back to the way it was.

Just make sure you explain to whomever you Rent a Mail Box From...what you want done...so there is no Failure To Communicate.(Pun Intended).

Survivir

That is about the silliest advice I've ever read. Especially when it is not necessary. As I stated above there is no special time to request the clothing allowance. You can do it now. As long as it is in the system bfore August you will be ok. The va does not send out denial letter concerning clothing allowances/ All you do is download the form, fill it out and mail it to the regional office. The regional office will take it from there, There is no reason to go to the va medical center, let the va regional office do their job. If the money is not in the bank in August then you know it was not approved and you start generating questions then. Keep in mind the regional office handles the form, they do not make the decision the va prosthetic department either approves or denies it. If it gets denied then stop by or call the prosthetic department and speak to the person who made the decision before you put any appeal in the system.

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gksl4522

#17

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Posts: 1213

Mar 19 09 3:46 PM

71Inf, you just had to put me to work.

I found these. I couldn't get into your link.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2008/julqtr/38cfr3.350.htm

Sec. 3.350 Special monthly compensation ratings

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_810.DOC

§3.810 Clothing allowance.

I believe the way I was qualified was having 3 problems. Loss of use of both legs (non service connected) and heart diease (connected). I kept hearing folks saying 3 things. Watch for the "or", "and" wording in the regulation.
I could not walk period = loss of use of two legs. My 60% service connected heart was the other. I couldn't do anything or I would give out of breath. That was 3. I saw a big old fellow come out of there in his wheelchair raising hell. He was mostly saying what the crap is this 3 thing.

I received the walking stick .wheelchair, bed, potty and bath stuff simply because my PCP ordered it. A Primary Care Doctor can just about do anything. There was a board conviened for the Jazzy rider. They came out from behind a curting and showed me there write up and said "your approved". then went to prosthetics and they ordered it.

I suspose because my PCP had the prosthetics office to issue the wheel chair had a lot to do with it. At 3.810 it specifies that a wheelchair is an appliance. From there things just happened.

I am 60% heart disease, 60% mental secondary to the heart disease, 1 scar at 10%, 1 at 0%, hypertension at 0% and ED at 0%. I receive SMC-K comp for the ED. I'm 100% IU, P&T.

My 88 year old uncle, non service for anything, got a Jazzy.

Anyway the best advise I can give is start with your Primary Care Physician. Apparently he can do whatever he want's to do. After all he is treating your whole body so since I couldn't walk because of my non service connected condition he ordered all that stuff, including the wheelchair appliance.

Good luck,

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1967RVN

#18

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Posts: 843

Mar 19 09 6:19 PM

71infantry wrote:

1967RVN wrote:
I think I'll have my "loose cannon" sister-in-law pick up my mail and somehow get her to send me all letters from regionla office. That's the only way I know of that I can receive the letter and recertify in time. I guess I could go to any Post Office and get a general delivery address. I suspect if I don't recertify, I'lll have to go through the entier process again (Not that it's difficult) but the end result may not be what I want. Thanks guys for your information, you've been great!
You can submit the form anytime you want there is no time period in which to request the clothing allowance. You do not need to go the hospital to get a form just download it, and mail it to your VA regional office. If it is approved the money will be in your bank account in August, if not approved you will not even get a denial letter. Been there done that......

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/21-8678.pdf

Infantry, I've already been approved last year by the Prostetics Dept.
VA Regional Office is supposed to send me a form so I can recertify eligibility and return the letter to them. If I send the form as you have suggested, the RO will send it to Prostetics for their action/approval. Am I wrong in this? I mean I will download the form a nd send it in but in alater post you said they would turn around and send it to my Prostetics Dept for local approval....Thanks and I'm awaiting your answer holding my breath so don't take too long! ;>)

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1967RVN

#19

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Posts: 843

Mar 19 09 6:27 PM

LongRangeDeath wrote:
Is this for only those rated at 100%? I use 2 knee braces, and have to buy pants 1 size bigger so they will fit under them. I was just rated at 50%, is this something I am eligible for?

Semper Fi!

Mike

Mike, apparently you ar eligible for clothing allowance but you have to request same. All they can say is no and I would bet they'd say YES in a New York minute. Download the form as suggested elsewhere in this thread and fill it out and send it to you Regional Office. Or, go to your local Prostetics Dept and they'll hand it over the counter, you fill it out and give it back to them and that's it...You'll have it deposited electronically to your bank account when they sned out the money. It doesn't sound like you have a problem qualifying. Probelm is, you've missed out on clothing allowance for x number of years and that will probably hurt your feelings, it did mine-I'm still kicking myself.

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LongRangeDeath

#20

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Posts: 114

Mar 20 09 8:38 AM

I will inquire at the VA hospital, it's close to me. I was reading though if they are the neoprene type it was a no go. They both are, but one has the metal hinges on the side. I have to buy pants a size bigger just to get them over the braces! All they can do is say no, but I also plan to talk with the Doc at the VA when I get an appointment. Does it matter if these braces were prescribed to me by my private doc?

Semper Fi!

Mike

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