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Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services

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Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS)

Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE)

The Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) program prescribes and pays for adaptive equipment to allow an eligible person to safely operate and enter/exit from their personal vehicle (38 USC 3901-3903; 38 CFR 17.155-159). All AAE must be prescribed by a VHA physician and/or Certified Drivers Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS). AAE is individually prescribed based on the Veterans need to safely operate and/or enter and exit their personal vehicles.

VBA Determines Eligibility:

  • You may be eligible for VA automobile allowance or adaptive-equipment benefits if you have a disability that’s related to your service (called a service-connected disability) and that includes at least one of these conditions.

At least one of these must be true for you:

  • You have loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet, or
  • You have loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both hands, or
  • You have permanent decreased vision in both eyes: 20/200 vision or less in your better eye with glasses, or greater than 20/200 vision but with a visual field defect that has reduced your peripheral vision to 20 degrees or less in your better eye, or
  • You have a severe burn injury, or
  • You have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or
  • You have ankylosis in one or both knees or hips (this qualifies you only for an adaptive-equipment grant)

A VBA compensation rating decision will annotate eligibility to the automobile allowance and AAE program. If you were found ineligible for the program, please submit VA Form 21-4502 to your nearest VBA Regional Office. NOTE: VHA only verifies eligibility.

For the special benefit allowance to include the automobile allowance (purchase an automobile and other conveyance) please visit:

VHA Determines Entitlement:

  • Prescribes type(s) of AAE to operate and/or enter/exit the vehicle.
  • Discuss and recommend types of automobiles for appropriateness.
  • Certifies whether Veteran is a driver or non-driver.
  • Approves 2 vehicles within 4-year period. No disposition or trade-ins can be approved unless there are extenuating circumstances present (e.g., disability changes; new or replacement of AAE is needed; court orders) (38 USC 3903; 38 CFR 17.158(a)). Eligible persons are entitled to adaptive equipment on 2 vehicles in a 4 year period. Each vehicle with prescribed adaptive equipment must remain on the Veteran’s record for at least 4 years unless there are extenuating circumstances. In cases where the Veteran has 1 vehicle on record, the prescribed adaptive equipment must remain on the Veteran’s record for at least 4 years unless there are extenuating circumstances. The Veteran cannot trade in or dispose of the adaptive equipment on record unless the date approved meets or exceed 4 years. *Prosthetics will need documentation for disposition or trade-in before removing AAE from a Veteran’s record. Please contact your local Prosthetic Service if extenuating circumstances are present to avoid unapproved AAE claims.
  • Apply the VA AAE Schedule to determine maximum payments and/or reimburses.

VA Automobile Adaptive Equipment Schedule: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/AAE_Schedule.asp

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If I am eligible for adaptive equipment, where can I find information about Drivers Rehabilitation?
  • Who is eligible for a payment?
    • Registered providers who are registered with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
  • Type of documentation for payments?
    • Itemized (1) Final Invoice; (2) Paid Receipt; or (3) Bill of Sale for the purchase.
  • Who is eligible for a reimbursement?
    • Unregistered providers who are not registered with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
  • Type of documentation for reimbursements?
    • VA Form 10-1394; Itemized (1) Final Invoice; (2) Paid Receipt; or (3) Bill of Sale for the purchase.
  • What is a VA AAE Schedule?
    • VA Adaptive Equipment Schedule for Automobiles and Other Conveyances (“Schedule”) means the VA schedule that contains the maximum allowable reimbursement amounts for the listed adaptive equipment. The Schedule also includes the maximum hourly labor rates for installation, repair, reinstallation, and replacement of this equipment and allowable fees that VA will pay.
    • Replaces VHA Directive 2011-046.
  • Where do I obtain a prescription for adaptive equipment?
    • Speak with your primary care provider or VHA clinician to discuss whether adaptive equipment is needed. Your provider or clinician will need to prescribe ALL adaptive equipment before any modifications to your personal vehicle begins.
  • Where do I submit an application for adaptive equipment?
    • Deliver the application to your local PSAS department during normal business hours.
    • Mail the application to your local facility, with ATTN to the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service department.
    • Fax the application to the Claims Intake Center: TOLL FREE: 844-531-7818 or 248-524-4260 (Utilized for Foreign Claimants)
    • Submit the application via MYHEALTHEVET
    • Mail the application to the Claims Intake Center
           DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
           CLAIMS INTAKE CENTER
           PO BOX 4444
           JANESVILLE, WI 53547-4444

***Do not attempt to use regular email - you may use MyHealtheVet secure messaging to submit your application.

  • Where can I find a copy of the Final Rule for Limitations on Assistance for AAE?
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