When it comes to navigating the complexities of VA benefits, some of the most valuable resources are often the least known.

One such benefit that many veterans might not be fully aware of is the VA Clothing Allowance.

This annual benefit is designed to help veterans offset the costs associated with replacing clothing that gets damaged due to the use of prosthetic devices or skin medications required for service-connected disabilities.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the VA Clothing Allowance, including eligibility criteria, covered items, potential yearly payments, the approved list of clothing items, and how to apply.

Summary of Key Points

VA Clothing Allowance Benefit: The VA Clothing Allowance is an annual benefit designed to help veterans cover the costs of replacing clothing that is damaged by prosthetic devices or skin medications needed due to service-connected disabilities.

Clothing Items Covered and Not Covered: The VA Clothing Allowance covers items like shirts, pants, skirts, and similar garments that are permanently damaged by prosthetic devices or skin medications. However, items such as shoes, hats, scarves, underwear, and socks are not included.

Annual Benefit Amount: Veterans eligible for the VA Clothing Allowance can receive up to $999.51 per year, depending on the extent of the damage and their specific needs. This amount will increase starting December 1, 2024, in accordance with the 2025 COLA.

How to Apply: Veterans can apply for the VA Clothing Allowance by completing VA Form 10-8678 and submitting it either online, by mail, by fax, or in person at their nearest VA medical center. Applications must be submitted by August 1st to receive the benefit for that year, with payments typically disbursed between September and October.

What Is the VA Clothing Allowance?

The VA Clothing Allowance is an annual benefit provided by the VA to veterans who require prosthetic or orthopedic devices or use certain medications for skin conditions.

These devices and treatments can cause damage to your everyday clothing, leading to additional expenses.

This allowance is intended to help cover those costs, ensuring that you don’t have to shoulder the financial burden alone.

Source: 38 C.F.R. § 3.810 – Clothing Allowance

Am I Eligible?

Eligibility for the VA Clothing Allowance hinges on a few key criteria.

You may qualify if:

Your prosthetic or orthopedic device causes damage to your clothing (e.g., braces, artificial limbs, or wheelchairs).

Your skin medication results in irreparable damage to your outer clothing (such as shirts or pants).

Moreover, to be eligible, the need for this device or medication must be tied directly to a service-connected condition.

In other words, the injury or illness that necessitates the use of the device or medication must have originated from your military service.

How Much Can I Get?

If your service-connected disability requires the use of a skin medication, prosthetic, or orthopedic device that causes damage to your clothing, the VA may provide a clothing allowance up to $999.51 in 2024 to help cover the cost of replacing those damaged items.

This payment can be issued either as a one-time payment or as an annual benefit, depending on your ongoing needs and eligibility.

This benefit amount became effective on December 1, 2023 and will increase on December 1, 2024 with the new 2025 COLA increase.

What Types of Clothing are Covered by the VA Clothing Allowance?

The VA clothing allowance covers items like shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, shorts, and similar garments if they are permanently damaged by qualifying appliances or skin medications related to a service-connected disability.

However, items such as shoes, hats, scarves, underwear, socks, and similar garments are not included in the VA clothing allowance decisions.

What is the VA Clothing Allowance List?

Here’s a detailed list of clothing items that are covered by the VA clothing allowance:

1. Shirts and Blouses

Shirts and blouses that are permanently damaged due to the use of orthopedic devices like braces, or due to skin medications that stain or degrade the fabric, are covered. These garments often come into contact with devices or medications that can cause excessive wear or staining over time.

2. Pants

Pants, including jeans, slacks, and other similar garments, are eligible for the allowance if they are damaged by prosthetics such as leg braces or by skin medications that cause permanent staining or deterioration. Pants are particularly susceptible to wear and tear from devices used on the lower limbs.

3. Skirts

Skirts, like pants, can be covered under the VA clothing allowance if they are damaged by leg or hip prosthetics, orthopedic devices, or medications. This includes any garment that covers the lower body and comes into contact with a qualifying device or substance.

4. Shorts

Shorts are included if they suffer damage from prosthetics or orthopedic devices, particularly those worn on the legs or hips. Medications applied to the skin that cause damage to shorts would also qualify them for the allowance.

5. Outerwear

Outerwear, such as jackets and coats, may be covered if they are damaged by devices like shoulder braces or spinal orthoses. These garments can experience significant wear, especially around areas where devices are in frequent contact.

6. Undershirts

Although less common, undershirts can be included if they are frequently damaged by medical devices worn against the skin, such as back braces or spinal orthoses. If a device causes regular damage to undershirts, they may be eligible for replacement under the allowance.

7. Specialty Garments

Specialty garments that are custom-designed or altered to accommodate a prosthetic or orthopedic device, and that are damaged as a result of the device or medication, may also be covered. These include garments that are specifically designed for ease of use with medical devices.

Clothing Items Not Covered

Shoes

Hats

Scarves

Underwear

Socks

Gloves

These items are generally not covered by the VA clothing allowance as they are less likely to be damaged by prosthetics, orthopedic devices, or skin medications in a way that would necessitate their replacement under this benefit.

Key Points to Remember

The VA clothing allowance is specifically designed to cover outer garments that are regularly and permanently damaged by service-related medical devices or treatments.

Items eligible for the allowance must be subjected to regular wear and tear due to their interaction with qualifying devices or medications.

For more specific guidance or eligibility, veterans should consult with their VA healthcare provider or refer to official VA documentation.

Can I Get a VA Clothing Allowance for Shoe Inserts?

No, you generally can’t receive a VA Clothing Allowance specifically for shoe inserts.

According to VA guidelines, items like shoe inserts, along with shoes themselves, are not typically considered eligible for the clothing allowance.

The reasoning is that these items do not cause the type of wear and tear on clothing that the allowance is intended to cover.

The VA Clothing Allowance is primarily designed to compensate for damage to outer garments such as shirts, pants, skirts, and similar items that can be damaged by prosthetic devices or medications used for service-connected conditions.

What is the VA Medication List for Clothing Allowance?

Here’s a list of medications that are commonly approved for the VA Clothing Allowance:

Topical Corticosteroids

Examples: Hydrocortisone cream, Triamcinolone acetonide

These are often used to treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis and can cause staining or damage to clothing.

Antibiotic Ointments

Examples: Neomycin, Bacitracin, Mupirocin

Used to prevent or treat infections in wounds, these ointments can leave stains on fabrics.

Topical Immunomodulators

Examples: Tacrolimus (Protopic), Pimecrolimus (Elidel)

These are used to treat eczema and other skin conditions and can sometimes cause damage to clothing through staining or deterioration of fabric.

Acne Medications

Examples: Benzoyl peroxide, Retinoids (Tretinoin)

Commonly used for acne treatment, these can bleach or stain clothing.

Antifungal Creams

Examples: Clotrimazole, Miconazole

Used for treating fungal infections, these creams can also stain fabrics over time.

Psoriasis Treatments

Examples: Calcipotriene, Anthralin

These are specific medications for psoriasis that can cause permanent damage to clothing.

This list provides examples of medications that might qualify a veteran for the VA Clothing Allowance, but it’s essential to consult with a VA healthcare provider to confirm eligibility based on the specific medications you use.

Recommended HCPCS Codes for Clothing Allowance Eligibility

The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes listed below are used by the VA to identify which prosthetic or orthopedic devices might qualify a veteran for the clothing allowance.

While these codes do not guarantee automatic approval, they serve as a guide to determine eligibility.

Spinal Orthoses (Thoraco Lumbo Sacral Orthoses, or TLSO)

L0458, L0460, L0462, L0464, L0466, L0468, L0470, L0472, L0480, L0482, L0484, L0486, L0488, L0490, L0491, L0492

These devices are typically rigid and are used to support the spine and limit motion, often causing wear and tear on clothing.

Lower Limb Orthoses

Hip Orthoses (HO): L1686, L1690, L1845

Knee Orthoses (KO): L1820, L1831, L1832, L1833, L1834, L1836, L1840, L1843, L1844, L1845, L1846, L1847, L1848

Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO): L1900, L1910, L1920, L1930, L1932, L1940, L1945, L1950, L1951, L1960, L1970, L1971, L1980, L1990

Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses (KAFO): L2000, L2005, L2006, L2010, L2020, L2030, L2034, L2036, L2037, L2038

These codes refer to a variety of braces and supports for the lower limbs that can cause damage to pants, shorts, and similar clothing items.

Upper Limb Orthoses

Shoulder Orthoses (SO): L3674

Elbow Orthoses (EO/EWHO/EWHFO): L3720, L3730, L3740, L3760, L3762, L3763, L3764, L3765, L3766

Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hand Orthoses (SEWHO): L3960, L3961, L3962, L3967, L3971, L3973, L3975, L3976, L3977, L3978

These devices can cause damage to shirts, blouses, and similar upper body garments.

Prosthetics

Lower Limb Prosthetics: Veterans with service-connected amputations who use prosthetics for limbs, such as legs, that are proximal to the level of toe amputations should be considered for the clothing allowance.

Upper Limb Prosthetics: Veterans with service-connected amputations of arms or fingers who use prosthetics for these limbs should be considered for the clothing allowance.

How to Apply for the VA Clothing Allowance

Applying for the VA Clothing Allowance is straightforward, but it’s important to be mindful of the deadlines.

To receive the annual payment, you must apply by August 1st of the year for which you are seeking the allowance.

If you are eligible, your payment will typically arrive between September 1st and October 31st.

To apply, you’ll need to complete VA Form 10-8678, Application for Annual Clothing Allowance.

You can submit this form in one of four ways:

#1. Online

Upload your completed VA Form 10-8678 to the AccessVA QuickSubmit tool online, which will eventually show-up as an open clothing allowance claim in your VA.gov account.

#2. By Mail

You can mail your clothing allowance application to this address:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444

#3. By Fax

If you’re within the U.S., fax your application to 844-531-7818. If you’re abroad, use 248-524-4260.

#4. In-Person

Submit your application in person or by mail to the prosthetic representative at your nearest VA medical center.

Do I Need to Reapply?

If you received the VA clothing allowance in 2022 or 2023, there’s no need to reapply annually to keep receiving the benefit.

However, if you wish to apply for an additional clothing allowance, you will need to submit a new application.

Need Help or Have Questions?

Navigating VA benefits can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone.

If you have questions about the VA Clothing Allowance or need help with the application process, you can reach out to a VA representative at 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711).

They’re available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, ready to assist you.

Conclusion & Wrap-Up

In summary, the VA Clothing Allowance is a vital benefit for veterans dealing with the physical remnants of their service.

If you’re using a prosthetic device or medication that’s causing damage to your clothes, this allowance can provide some much-needed financial relief.

Don’t miss out—ensure you apply by the deadline to take full advantage of this benefit you’ve earned through your service.

About the Author

Brian Reese

Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.

A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.

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