The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a skin disorder, to include chloracne, is granted. Service connection for a skin disorder, to include chloracne, is denied. The rating for coronary artery disease in excess of 10 percent prior to September 20, 2016 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is remanded. The service connection for a low back disorder is also remanded. The issue of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's skin disorder was not related to his military service, as there were no diagnoses or complaints of skin disorders during service and the current condition is unrelated to any in-service treatment for chancroid. The low back disorder may be due to lifting heavy ammunition while serving in Vietnam, but the STRs do not document such an injury.
- Claimed conditions
- skin disorder, coronary artery disease, low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19187174
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disorder to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, left eye diabetic retinopathy, left foot diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right foot diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease, as well as the Veteran's cause of death.
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