The Veteran's melasma has been manifested by pigmentation changes on the face, covering less than 20% of her entire body and exposed areas. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not affect more than 20% of her exposed areas or require systemic therapy such as corticosteroids.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's melasma did not cover at least 20% of her exposed areas, and she was not on systemic therapy requiring six weeks or more of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs during the past 12-month period.
- Claimed conditions
- melasma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 7, 2014
- Citation
- 1430398
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1430398.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, a skin disorder (melasma), and prostate cancer due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Guam under the PACT Act.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate medical examination and the need for a new one. The skin condition, including keratosis pilaris, folliculitis, and melasma, needs to be re-evaluated.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for endometriosis, hysterectomy as secondary to endometriosis, and melasma as secondary to endometriosis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony and medical opinions that link these conditions to her service-connected endometriosis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the September 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for keratosis pilaris, folliculitis, and melasma will be reconsidered.
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