Clothing Allowances

[babyray]

I am rated at 100% P&T, I had my appt w/ my VA PCP doc yesterday. my left knee is djd Sc'ed & I wear a knee sleeve. my VA doc asked me if I wanted a knee brace for it & i said yes. she got on her computer & put it in to the orthro dept. 1 hour later iu went to the dept & got it. is it possible for me to put in for the annual clothing allowance? do i have to be examined by a orthro doc & get prescribed for a metal knee brace because it may be denied because my primary doc is not a orthro doc?

babyray

[JR Reihs]

Its been along time since I went through this, but I think it is Prosthetics that make this call.........I would call them to verify the procedure.

[toimi]

Seems to me you should be able to if you were approved once. Just apply.

TITLE 38--VETERANS' BENEFITS

PART II--GENERAL BENEFITS

CHAPTER 11--COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OR DEATH

SUBCHAPTER VI--GENERAL COMPENSATION PROVISIONS

Sec. 1162. Clothing allowance

The Secretary under regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe,

shall pay a clothing allowance of $662 per year to each veteran who--

(1) because of a service-connected disability, wears or uses a

prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (including a wheelchair) which

the Secretary determines tends to wear out or tear the clothing of

the veteran; or

(2) uses medication which (A) a physician has prescribed for a

skin condition which is due to a service-connected disability, and

(B) the Secretary determines causes irreparable damage to the veteran's outergarments.

If you run into the problem of being denied one of several items you may need to order please see...

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

2008-7090

JAMES E. SURSELY,

Claimant-Appellant,

v.

JAMES B. PEAKE, M.D., Secretary of Veterans Affairs,

Respondent-Appellee.

[justrluk]

I put in and received due to medications. All I had to do was supply a copy of my current medications - in your case your use of equipment - and the required form to the prosthetics office at my VAMC.