The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to topical cream, TENS unit, and knee braces used for service-connected conditions. The decision was based on the lack of evidence supporting these claims under VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not use a topical medication for his service-connected skin disability, the TENS unit did not meet the definition of an orthopedic appliance, and the knee braces caused wear and tear to his clothing. The decision was based on the lack of evidence supporting these claims under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19148897
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's low back injury occurred during a period of active duty for training (ADT) and continued therefrom.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right leg sciatica with radiculopathy pain and paresthesia, but denied increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, left wrist limitation of motion with ganglion cyst, and service connection for headaches, unspecified. Several issues were remanded.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for rhinorrhea and denied initial compensable evaluations for headaches and left knee disability, while remanding the claim for a respiratory disorder.
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