The Veteran's tension headaches, contact dermatitis, tinea pedis, and lipoma have been shown to have originated during active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records show the Veteran was exposed to wildfire smoke while in service, which is similar to burn pit exposures, leading to his current skin disorders and headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- Tension Headaches, Contact Dermatitis, Tinea Pedis, and a Lipoma, Recurrent Lumbar Spine Disability (Lumbosacral Strain), Recurrent Right Shoulder Disability (Strain Residuals), Recurrent Left Shoulder Disability (Strain Residuals), Recurrent Right Knee Disability (Strain Residuals and Meniscal Tear Residuals), Recurrent Left Knee Disability (Strain Residuals)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23053313
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 23053313.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates for tension headaches and lower back condition. The remaining issues of service connection for eye, neck, persistent cough, TBI residuals, and bilateral leg conditions are REMANDED.
- Granted
The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 10% disability rating, effective from the date of the June 2020 decision. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.
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