The Veteran's 30 percent rating for dermatitis is restored effective December 1, 2016. The issue of a compensable rating for dermatitis from December 1, 2016 has already been adjudicated and will not be revisited in the current decision.
The deciding factor: The reduction in rating was based on an inadequate VA examination, which did not account for the Veteran's ongoing use of oral medications. The Court found this to be insufficient evidence of sustained improvement.
- Claimed conditions
- Dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20001269
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a higher rating for hypertension but granted a 10% rating for the left (minor) long/middle finger, while denying compensable ratings for the other fingers and dermatitis.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 25, 2020, for the award of a 30 percent rating for dermatitis and psoriasis.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and remanded additional issues due to insufficient evidence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, but denied compensable ratings for umbilical hernia, nephrolithiasis, and dermatitis.
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.