The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to the use of a back brace and left knee brace in 2018 are granted. However, his claims for Clotrimazole cream, Hydrocortisone cream, and Lidocaine ointment causing damage to his outer garments in 2016 were denied.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance due to use of prosthetic or orthopedic appliances or medication. The Board found that the medications did not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee brace was replaced with another brace, but he continued to wear the original brace for some activities. The Board determined this replacement did not change the fact that the original brace tended to wear out or tear his clothing.,The medications prescribed by the VA were found not to cause irreparable damage to the Veteran's outer garments based on a list of certified medications provided by the Under Secretary for Health.
- Claimed conditions
- Back strain, Genitofemoral neuropathy (left knee)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2021
- Citation
- 21027537
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 21027537.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back conditions and his service. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay statements about in-service events, injuries, and symptoms.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the VA examination and opinion were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's complete medical history. The case is now to be reviewed with an addendum VA opinion.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the May 2013 rating decision.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for tinnitus, while remanding claims for service connection for an anxiety condition, back strain, bilateral pes planus, left shoulder condition, right knee condition, and dizziness.
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