The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for chronic staph infection and a skin disability due to treatment at a VA drug rehabilitation facility from April 1, 2009 to July 1, 2009 are denied as the evidence does not show that his additional disabilities were caused by negligence or lack of proper skill on the part of the VA.
The deciding factor: The medical opinion concluded that there was no connection between the Veteran's initial insect bite and subsequent skin condition and staph infections, and that the care provided did not meet the standard of a reasonable health care provider.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic staph infection, MRSA, folliculitis, sores and lesions due to an insect bite, hives
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18139402
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 18139402.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and hypertrophic scarring as secondary to now service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae are granted. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral toenail fungus, and genital warts or syphilis are remanded due to the need for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability, including psoriasis, eczema, hives, and urticaria, is not etiologically related to service or a service-connected condition. The Veteran's skin issues are considered direct service connection cases.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's skin disability (atopic dermatitis, folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and seborrheic keratosis) on a direct basis. The decision finds that there is at least an equipoise of evidence to support the claim, thus resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin disorder, including epidermal inclusion cysts. The decision is based on inadequate VA examinations and a duty to assist error before the May 2025 rating decision.
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