Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act

Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act

This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clothing allowance policy for veterans who, due to a service-connected disability, wear a prosthetic, use an orthopedic appliance (e.g., a wheelchair), or use a prescription skin medication that the VA determines causes irreparable damage to clothing.

The bill requires the VA to continue the clothing allowance for such a veteran on an annual basis until the veteran elects to no longer receive the allowance, or the VA determines the veteran is no longer eligible for the allowance, whichever occurs first.

The bill sets forth a procedure by which the VA must conduct reviews of clothing allowance claims to determine the continued eligibility of veterans. Specifically, the VA must conduct a review (1) five years after the date on which a veteran initially receives a clothing allowance and periodically thereafter, and (2) whenever the VA receives notice that the veteran no longer meets eligibility requirements. If a veteran is eligible for a clothing allowance based on a circumstance that is not subject to change, the VA does not need to review whether the veteran has continued eligibility.

If the VA determines, as the result of a review of a claim, that a veteran no longer meets the eligibility requirements for a clothing allowance, the VA must provide notice of the determination and discontinue the clothing allowance. The notice must include a description of applicable actions that may be taken following the determination (e.g., filing a notice of disagreement).

The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through January 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.

Bill 117 HR 4772, also known as the Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act, aims to improve the clothing allowance provided to veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill is named after Mark O’Brien, a veteran who advocated for better benefits for his fellow veterans.

Currently, the VA provides a clothing allowance to veterans who have a service-connected disability that requires the use of a prosthetic or orthopedic device. This allowance is meant to help cover the cost of specially adapted clothing that is necessary due to their disability.

The Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act seeks to increase the amount of the clothing allowance provided to veterans. The bill also aims to expand eligibility for the allowance to include veterans who have a service-connected disability that requires the use of a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair or cane. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to ensure that the clothing allowance is adjusted annually to account for inflation. This will help ensure that veterans receive a fair and adequate allowance to cover the cost of their specialized clothing needs. Overall, the Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act is a bipartisan effort to improve the benefits provided to veterans with service-connected disabilities. By increasing the clothing allowance and expanding eligibility, the bill aims to better support the unique needs of these veterans and ensure they have access to the resources they need to live comfortably and independently.