The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's skin disabilities, diagnosed as xerosis and hyperkeratosis of the bilateral feet. The VA examiner did not address whether these conditions are related to in-service exposure to contaminated/polluted water.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate because it does not discuss whether the Veteran's current diagnoses of hyperkeratosis and xerosis of the bilateral feet are related to his in-service exposure to polluted water.
- Claimed conditions
- xerosis, hyperkeratosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21065144
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 21065144.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 service connection for xerosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to chemical irritants such as petroleum oil.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board grants service connection for a skin disability of the bilateral feet, diagnosed as xerosis, finding that it began during active service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for onychomycosis and hyperkeratosis as the condition affected less than 5% of the total body area and required only topical therapy.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased initial rating for a skin disability, including chronic dermatitis, tinea pedis, xerosis and hyperkeratosis, to obtain additional medical evidence regarding systemic therapy and the degree of involvement of nonservice-connected disabilities.
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