The Veteran's annual clothing allowance based on static qualifying disability is restored due to the continued use of a prescribed hinged knee brace and topical ointments that cause damage to his clothing.
The deciding factor: The Veteran continues to require a hinged knee brace and other medications for his service-connected conditions, which causes damage to his outer garments.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, central disc herniation at L5-S1, right rotator cuff injury, left ankle inversion injury residuals, fracture of the right fifth metacarpal residuals, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with iliotibial band instability degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear, bilateral plantar calluses, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip osteoarthritis with impairment and panful motion, right knee limitation of extension, left lateral chest scar, right thumb wart removal residual scar, gastroesophageal reflux disease erectile dysfunction, left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of extension, left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19187623
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and granted initial 40 percent ratings for left upper extremity CTS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound status, but dismissed the claims for initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Board granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine disability, denied an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma, granted TDIU from May 7, 2021, and SMC from September 10, 2021.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased rating for right knee strain and instability but granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension from November 25, 2024.
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