The veteran seeks service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), either directly or as secondary to exposure to herbicides, based on his service in Vietnam. The Board notes that PCT is characterized by liver dysfunction and photosensitive cutaneous lesions with bullae, hyperpigmentation, and scleroderma-like changes in the skin. In service, he was treated for perioral dermatitis of the lips and mouth, which was said to be triggered by exposure to sun.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current disability may be associated with an early symptom of PCT during service.
- Claimed conditions
- porphyria cutanea tarda, perioral dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2005
- Citation
- 0527167
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 0527167.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda, finding that it manifested within one year of his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The appeal is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for an additional addendum opinion to determine whether any associated exceptional or unusual disability is associated with the Veteran's porphyria cutanea tarda.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the effective date of service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda was dismissed due to untimeliness.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver, dizziness, left shoulder pains, and others, as additional development is necessary to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.
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