The Veteran's claim for clothing allowances based on the use of ankle braces and shoe inserts, as well as topical medications, has been denied due to lack of qualifying appliances/devices that cause wear or tear to an article of clothing. The Veteran's ankle braces are considered related to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the Veteran's ankle braces and orthotic shoe inserts do not qualify as a device that tends to wear or tear clothing, based on VA guidelines for the clothing allowance benefit.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of shell fragment wounds to both lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1817774
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 1817774.
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: Granted
The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities on a direct basis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted the Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel benefits for ambulance transportation to the Iowa City VAMC on November 15, 2019. The decision was based on the evidence showing that the Veteran had an emergent condition and was transported from his home to a non-VA emergency room and then to the VA Medical Center in Iowa City.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for the period of January 12, 2012 to August 9, 2012.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of both arms and legs, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The appeal for service connection for hypertension is remanded.
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