The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis or eczema is granted. The Veteran's scars, residual of gunshot wound to the left side, are not entitled to a compensable rating. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The reduction in hearing loss rating from 20% to 0% is considered void ab initio.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of dermatitis or eczema is related to his service, granting service connection for this condition. The Veteran's scars were not deep and nonlinear enough to warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The reduction in hearing loss rating was found to be improper as the procedural requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 3.105 were not followed.
- Claimed conditions
- Dermatitis or eczema, Scar - Residual of gunshot wound to the left side, Bladder cancer, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Diabetes mellitus type II with peripheral circulatory disorders, Tinnitus, Peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19102603
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,506 · Granted: 43% (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 19102603.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
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