VA Form 21-4502 (Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive Equipment) applies for a one-time automobile allowance and/or adaptive equipment when a service-connected disability has caused certain severe losses.
Who may qualify
Generally, veterans (and certain service members) with a service-connected:
- •Loss or loss of use of a hand or foot.
- •Permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to a prescribed degree.
- •Severe burn injury, or
- •ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
What it provides
- •A one-time payment toward the purchase of a vehicle (the automobile allowance), and/or
- •Adaptive equipment — and assistance installing or repairing it — so you can operate or ride in a vehicle safely.
Adaptive-equipment eligibility can be broader than the auto-allowance criteria (for example, certain ankylosis can qualify for equipment).
How it connects to your rating
This benefit flows from service-connected losses — so the underlying conditions must be service-connected first. If they aren't yet, that's the claim to build.
Tip
If you think you qualify, confirm whether you're seeking the allowance, adaptive equipment, or both — the eligibility rules differ between them.
VA forms mentioned in this guide
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This guide is educational information about the VA claims system — it is not legal or medical advice, and it does not predict or promise any claim outcome. Regulations and procedures change; always verify current requirements at VA.gov. VA Claim Commander is a self-service documentation tool, not a VSO, law firm, or VA-accredited representative.