diff --git a/lib/pdf_fill/forms/va21p530v2.rb b/lib/pdf_fill/forms/va21p530v2.rb
index 6350a4228cf..06b70f63a83 100644
--- a/lib/pdf_fill/forms/va21p530v2.rb
+++ b/lib/pdf_fill/forms/va21p530v2.rb
@@ -719,6 +719,9 @@ def merge_fields(_options = {})
 
         expand_cemetery_location
 
+        # special case: the UI only has a 'yes' checkbox, so the PDF 'noTransportation' checkbox can never be true.
+        @form_data['hasTransportation'] = @form_data['transportation'] == true ? 'YES' : nil
+
         # special case: these fields were built as checkboxes instead of radios, so usual radio logic can't be used.
         burial_expense_responsibility = @form_data['burialExpenseResponsibility']
         @form_data['hasBurialExpenseResponsibility'] = burial_expense_responsibility ? 'On' : nil
@@ -759,7 +762,6 @@ def merge_fields(_options = {})
           govtContributions
           previouslyReceivedAllowance
           allowanceStatementOfTruth
-          transportation
         ].each do |attr|
           expand_checkbox_in_place(@form_data, attr)
         end
diff --git a/spec/fixtures/pdf_fill/21P-530V2/merge_fields.json b/spec/fixtures/pdf_fill/21P-530V2/merge_fields.json
index 14bc65e70fe..6a3d5430846 100644
--- a/spec/fixtures/pdf_fill/21P-530V2/merge_fields.json
+++ b/spec/fixtures/pdf_fill/21P-530V2/merge_fields.json
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@
     "signatureDate":"2024-03-21",
     "veteranSocialSecurityNumber2":{"first":"987", "second":"65", "third":"4322"},
     "veteranSocialSecurityNumber3":{"first":"987", "second":"65", "third":"4322"},
+    "hasTransportation":"YES",
     "hasBurialExpenseResponsibility":"On",
     "noBurialExpenseResponsibility":null,
     "hasPlotExpenseResponsibility":"On",
@@ -93,7 +94,5 @@
     "hasPreviouslyReceivedAllowance":"YES",
     "noPreviouslyReceivedAllowance":null,
     "hasAllowanceStatementOfTruth":null,
-    "noAllowanceStatementOfTruth":null,
-    "hasTransportation":"YES",
-    "noTransportation":null
+    "noAllowanceStatementOfTruth":null
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/spec/lib/pdf_fill/forms/va21p530v2_spec.rb b/spec/lib/pdf_fill/forms/va21p530v2_spec.rb
index 58dd79761a1..6810eb956d8 100644
--- a/spec/lib/pdf_fill/forms/va21p530v2_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/pdf_fill/forms/va21p530v2_spec.rb
@@ -142,5 +142,18 @@ def class_form_data
         get_fixture('pdf_fill/21P-530V2/merge_fields').to_json
       )
     end
+
+    it 'leaves benefit selections blank on pdf if unselected', run_at: '2024-03-21 00:00:00 EDT' do
+      unselected_benefits_data = get_fixture('pdf_fill/21P-530V2/kitchen_sink').except(
+        'burialAllowance', 'plotAllowance', 'transportation'
+      )
+      expected_merge_data = get_fixture('pdf_fill/21P-530V2/merge_fields').except(
+        'burialAllowance', 'plotAllowance', 'transportation'
+      )
+      expected_merge_data['hasTransportation'] = nil
+      expect(described_class.new(unselected_benefits_data).merge_fields.to_json).to eq(
+        expected_merge_data.to_json
+      )
+    end
   end
 end