The Veteran's skin condition, including eczema, pustular psoriasis, sclerosis, dermatitis, hyperkeratosis, and erythematous plaque, is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the condition manifested during or was caused by his active military service, specifically due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's service treatment records confirmed treatment for bilateral calluses on both feet in January 1965.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner’s opinion did not address the actual diagnosed skin conditions of the Veteran and did not consider all raised theories of entitlement including his November 2019 testimony regarding skin issues during service.
- Claimed conditions
- eczema, pustular psoriasis, sclerosis, dermatitis, hyperkeratosis, erythematous plaque
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20056860
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 20056860.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of June 8, 2022 for the award of service connection for a skin disability (dermatitis). This decision is based on the receipt of an intent to file dated June 8, 2022.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an initial noncompensable rating for eczema was granted, effective November 5, 2024. The effective date could not be earlier due to the lack of a prior formal or informal claim within one year of receipt of the Intent to File.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches was granted with an effective date of August 28, 2014.,Service connection for eczema was granted with an effective date of August 10, 2022. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but the request was denied.
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