The veteran's service-connected melasma of the cheeks and keloid of the chest do not warrant evaluations in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The skin conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria, as they were not severe enough to warrant an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- melasma, bilateral cheeks, keloid of the chest
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 17, 2009
- Citation
- 0909947
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a stomach virus, to include GERD; compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids; and compensable evaluation for service-connected melasma were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current diagnoses to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the service connection claims for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sinusitis, heart condition, mini-stroke, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and keloid of the chest. The appeals are not about service connection but rather to revise a previous rating decision.
- Denied
The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized prescription medication costs was denied because the medications were not obtained in a medical emergency, and VA facilities were reasonably available.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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