The Veteran's service-connected shrapnel injuries and related skin conditions caused his clothing to stain and wear out at an increased rate, warranting annual clothing allowances for the use of topical medications.
The deciding factor: The combination of the topical medication used for ulcers and the use of a prosthetic leg caused wear and tear to one article of clothing at an increased rate.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of two-by-eight inch scars of the anterior aspect of the right thigh, Residuals of four-by-three inch scars of the lateral aspect of the right knee, Left shoulder shrapnel wound, Residuals of a one and one-half inch by two-inch scar of the lateral aspect of the right calf, Residuals of two-by-five inch scar of the anterior aspect of the right mid-lower leg, Left arm bicep shrapnel, Right and left top and bottom of forearm shrapnel, Vietnam era incurred static disability, Residuals of scars of the posterior calf, knee, lower leg, medial aspect of the right foot, Vietnam era combat-incurred static disability, Residuals of scars of the right cheek and left lip, Vietnam era, combat-incurred static disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26008787
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 A26008787.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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