The Board denied a higher (compensable) initial disability rating for the service-connected dermatitis, as the evidence did not support a finding that characteristic lesions affected at least 5 percent of the entire body or exposed areas.
The deciding factor: The February 2023 VA examiner determined that the Veteran's dermatitis affected less than 5 percent of the total body area and there was no indication of systemic therapy required for a total duration of less than 6 weeks over the past 12-month period.
- Claimed conditions
- Dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2025
- Citation
- A25024749
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a higher rating for hypertension but granted a 10% rating for the left (minor) long/middle finger, while denying compensable ratings for the other fingers and dermatitis.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 25, 2020, for the award of a 30 percent rating for dermatitis and psoriasis.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and remanded additional issues due to insufficient evidence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, but denied compensable ratings for umbilical hernia, nephrolithiasis, and dermatitis.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.