The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal and restored his prior disability ratings for thoracic strain and tinea versicolor, finding that the reduction in ratings was improper due to failure to adhere to applicable VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The RO failed to adhere to the due process requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.655 with respect to notice regarding the reduction of benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic strain, tinea versicolor
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19141443
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 961 · Granted: 20% (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 19141443.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, thoracic strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia patella, left knee degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia patella, left ankle ganglion cyst and ruptured saphenous vein, and left great toe matrixectomy with a left medial foot scar. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for neurodermatitis legs and forearm, and tinea versicolor are being remanded due to the need for further review of the evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding VA treatment records.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for genital herpes is denied as the highest schedular rating of 60% has been achieved. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also denied due to the presence of other service-connected conditions and the fact that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a combined 100% disability rating.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.