The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder of the hands and denied entitlement to increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis. The Veteran's skin condition is not related to his military service, and he was granted a 40 percent disability rating for his lumbar spondylosis effective May 16, 2018.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s current skin disorder of the hands had its onset in service or within one year of service. The Board found no direct service connection and denied the claim for service connection. For his lumbar spondylosis, the Board noted that prior to May 16, 2018, he did not have forward flexion of greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine is not greater than 120 degrees. The Veteran was granted a 40 percent disability rating effective May 16, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- skin disorder of the hands, lumbar spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20063793
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20063793.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis and L3-L4 disc herniation status post hemilaminectomy (s/p) right L3-4 hemilaminectomy with diskectomy. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current disability and his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for clarification of the Veteran's service periods. The Veteran is diagnosed with lumbosacral strain and lumbar spondylosis, and the claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of August 14, 2024 for the award of a 40 percent rating for service-connected chronic compression fracture at T7 with lumbar spondylosis and thoracolumbar strain.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for diabetes, right hip condition, and an effective date for the increased rating of lumbar spondylosis.
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