The Veteran's use of Menthol/M Salicylate topical cream for arthritis pain is not eligible for a clothing allowance as it was not prescribed for a skin condition due to any service-connected disability.,The Veteran’s back brace, which she uses for her service-connected DDD of the low back, does not qualify for a clothing allowance because it is made of soft material and does not cause wear or tear on clothing.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence that the topical cream was prescribed for a skin condition due to any service-connected disability. The Veteran used the cream for joint pain from arthritis, which did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.,The Veteran's back brace is made of soft material and does not cause wear or tear on clothing as required by VA regulations for a clothing allowance.
- Claimed conditions
- DDD of the low back, migraine headaches, bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, cervical strain, callous of the left little toe, scar of the left toe, herpes (called as rashes)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19155631
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19155631.
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.
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The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches based on prostrating attacks occurring more than once a month and severe economic inadaptability.
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- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a 50 percent disability rating, effective August 8, 2023, due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability.
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