The Veteran's bilateral plantar keratomas with scarring was denied a compensable rating prior to August 13, 2018 and since that date. The new criteria for skin disabilities were applied prospectively from the effective date of the change forward.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s condition did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings under the revised diagnostic codes due to the nature of his symptoms, which included scaly, flaky, and cracking skin on the soles of his feet. The area affected was less than 5% of total body area and less than 5% of exposed body area.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral plantar keratomas with scarring, scarring
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2018
- Citation
- 18154349
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 18154349.
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: Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for kidney cancer and scarring from treatment have been denied as there is no evidence of compensable residual conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), including scarring, is remanded due to incomplete examination reports.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 0 percent for pseudofolliculitis is remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to consider new evidence.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for scarring was dismissed due to a procedural error.
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