The Veteran's appeal for clothing allowances was denied as the medications and braces were not service-connected disabilities, and there was no certification from the Under Secretary for Health that they caused wear and tear to his clothing.
The deciding factor: The Under Secretary for Health did not certify that the Veteran’s back and left knee brace tended to wear and tear his clothing in 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee braces, back brace, oxycodone, methocarbamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac, pain-relieving rub medication
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18132965
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18132965.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for multiple clothing allowances for the calendar year 2023 is remanded due to missing records. The AOJ needs to reconstruct and associate all relevant documents with the claims file.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted annual clothing allowances for the 2020 calendar year for a back brace and betamethasone topical medication, as they caused wear or tear to the Veteran's clothing.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to a lack of clear and accurate descriptions of the braces used, as well as missing relevant documentation from VHA. The AOJ is required to obtain these records and reconstruct the record before making a decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a clothing allowance for a back brace in 2019 is being remanded due to missing records. The AOJ needs to reconstruct the record and upload all relevant documentation related to this claim.
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