The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected cellulitis, as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cellulitis covered less than five percent of her total body area and required oral and topical medications that were not similar to systemic medicine, which did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
- Claimed conditions
- Cellulitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 27, 2025
- Citation
- A25018148
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,242 · Granted: 27% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25018148.
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 a 10 percent disability rating for cellulitis, which covers at least 5 percent but less than 20 percent of the Veteran's total body area and at least 5 percent but less than 20 percent of exposed areas affected. The decision satisfies the Veteran's appeal as he testified that this rating would be satisfactory.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected cellulitis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, secondary to a service-connected back condition. The claims for cellulitis and hypertension were denied, while the claims for left and right knee conditions were remanded.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for back, right knee, left knee, and right hip disorders, but denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, hypertension, coccyx disorder, and hearing loss in both ears. The appeal was also remanded for further action on several other issues.
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