The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his eczematous dermatitis, finding that an initial rating higher than 30 percent was not warranted based on the severity of the condition as determined by recent VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The veteran's skin condition did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes and regulations, as his symptoms were less than 40% of the entire body or exposed areas affected, and no constant or near-constant systemic therapy was required during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- eczematous dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2009
- Citation
- 0901817
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,669 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0901817.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is granted, as he requires regular assistance with dressing, keeping himself clean and presentable, and attending to his bodily needs due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a skin condition, to include eczematous dermatitis, hand dermatitis, chronic spongiotic dermatitis, and psoriasis vulgaris, due to an inadequate VA medical examination and opinions.
- Partly granted
The Board revised the November 2007 rating decision to assign a 30 percent disability rating for migraine headaches due to CUE, but denied the motion to revise the same decision to assign a 10 percent disability rating for eczematous dermatitis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues for additional evidentiary development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records.
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