The Veteran's service-connected low back strain disability necessitates the use of a low back brace, but there is no clinical or lay evidence showing that this brace causes wear and tear to his clothing. As such, he does not meet the criteria for an annual VA clothing allowance.
The deciding factor: There is no probative medical or lay evidence demonstrating that the Veteran's low back brace causes wear and tear on his clothing.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back strain, residuals of a right elbow injury with traumatic arthritis, right-hand carpal tunnel syndrome, left-hand carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19148135
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for effective dates prior to September 27, 2024, for the awards of service connection for various knee and back conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, erectile dysfunction, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and right-hand and left-hand carpal tunnel syndrome. Service connection was denied for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and initial ratings were denied for migraines, right knee strain, and hypothyroidism.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 29, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a lower back disability and remanded claims for a higher rating, TDIU, and extraschedular consideration.
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