[Biashpainabix]

I'm going to assume that the knee braces in question are hard, metal frames with joints, not just support wraps.

My wife's prescription (and custom built) braces are in different colors based on what the manufacturer decided to do by MODEL. Her current one (she's had three, IIRC) is PURPLE.

So, I would argue that the color of the brace should not be significant.

Now, if a doctor recommends that you go purchase an OTC item, things get murkier. There's no proof that you were given said medical direction. There's no indication that it serves more than your own emotional need.

An OTC brace could do more harm than good, since you may not wear it properly, and you are far more likely to get one that just doesn't fit. I wonder if the doc avoided prescribing one because it may be one of those things that leads to an MEB?

I would want another one-on-one with the doc about why he recommended you follow a path where you could do as much harm as you could good.