The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars of the left upper back, status post excision basal cell carcinoma is denied.,The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for contact dermatitis, distal index fingers of the bilateral hands and rosacea are remanded. The Veteran's facial scars are also remanded for review.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for rosacea prior to February 6, 2020; and a rating in excess of 30 percent since February 6, 2020 is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for facial scars, residuals of treatment for basal cell carcinoma, prior to February 6, 2020; and a rating in excess of 10 percent since February 6, 2020 is remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support an assignment of a compensable rating for the left upper back scars under Diagnostic Code 7805 as there are no other disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,There is insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's contact dermatitis, rosacea and facial scars have increased in severity prior to February 6, 2020. The VA examiner should provide an opinion on this issue.,The VA examiner should comment whether there was any increasing symptoms, treatment and medication, and functional impairment due to his rosacea and facial scars in the time period from December 2015 until February 6, 2020.,An addendum medical opinion is needed from the VA skin diseases examiner on whether any or all of his service-connected skin disabilities produce any occupational impairment for the Veteran's occupation as a pilot. The examiner should indicate that the record was reviewed and provide rationale for the opinions offered.,The Veteran appears to be unable to maintain post-service employment as a pilot due to functional impairment when exposed to sunlight, which is related to his service-connected skin disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- scars of the left upper back, contact dermatitis, distal index fingers of the bilateral hands, rosacea, facial scars, residuals of treatment for basal cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20053639
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 20053639.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for multiple skin conditions (hyperkeratotic eczematous dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea pedis, and rosacea) to the hands, feet, and face as secondary to medications taken for treatment of his service-connected hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the Veteran's rosacea, which is related to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for multiple skin conditions (hyperkeratotic eczematous dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea pedis, and rosacea) to the hands, feet, and face as secondary to medications taken for treatment of his service-connected hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the appellant's rosacea, including whether it is related to service or herbicide exposure.
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