VA offers several lesser-known benefits that many disabled veterans overlook. The annual clothing allowance is paid to veterans who use prosthetic or orthopedic appliances, including prescribed medication applied to the skin, that tend to wear out or damage clothing. If your back brace rubs holes in your shirts, your knee brace wears through your pants, or your skin medication stains your clothes, you may qualify. The allowance is paid annually and you can receive more than one allowance if you have multiple qualifying appliances. To apply, contact the prosthetics department at your local VA medical center. They will determine if your devices qualify. Another benefit is the commissary and exchange privileges extended to veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 0 percent or higher. This provides access to military commissaries and exchanges for discounted shopping. Veterans with severe disabilities may also qualify for specially adapted clothing through the VA prosthetics program. These are custom-made garments designed to accommodate prosthetic devices, casts, or other medical appliances. Additionally, disabled veterans may be eligible for property tax exemptions in many states, reduced vehicle registration fees, and other state-level benefits based on their VA disability rating. Check with your state veterans affairs office for benefits specific to your location.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).