🎖️ VALOR

From Combat to Clarity: How One Army Veteran Fought for the PTSD Benefits He Deserved 

Mario Boyd, an Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq, spent years battling severe PTSD and struggling to get support from the VA. After repeated setbacks and little recognition of his condition, he finally secured the benefits he needed. 

Boyd joined the National Guard shortly after 9/11, initially working in logistics. He volunteered for deployment, looking for a way out of a stagnant civilian job. His duties quickly shifted to high-risk convoy missions, first as a driver and later as a gunner. The intense exposure to combat left lasting psychological wounds that would take years to fully manifest. 

Back home, his PTSD went undiagnosed. Substance abuse, job instability, and emotional isolation followed. Even after relocating to Mexico and becoming a teacher, the symptoms persisted. Multiple attempts to get help from the VA and legal professionals brought little progress. “It was like screaming into the void,” he recalled. 

Everything changed when he connected with Hill & Ponton, who took his plight seriously and treated him with care. With help from Hill & Ponton, his disability rating increased from 30% to 100%, giving him access to critical resources and renewed stability.  

He now credits Hill & Ponton with saving his life and encourages other veterans to seek support.  

“You don’t have to go through this alone. Some people will fight for you like you fought for your country. What they did for me in 2 years, nobody else had done it in 15.,” he says. “I’m so happy that I can tell my story.” 

⚖️ EXPERTS

VA Disability for Skin Conditions: What Veterans Need to Know 

VA Disability for Skin Conditions: What Veterans Need to Know 

Skin conditions are a common and often overlooked issue among veterans, particularly those exposed to environmental and chemical hazards during service.  

These conditions can persist long after discharge, from chloracne to eczema and psoriasis. They may qualify for VA disability compensation, especially when linked to service or fall under presumptive guidelines. 

Presumptive Skin Conditions 

The VA presumes certain skin conditions are service-connected for specific groups of veterans: 

• Vietnam Veterans may qualify for chloracne or porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) if symptoms appear within one year of exposure to Agent Orange. 

• Gulf War Veterans may qualify for: 

  • Chronic Dermatitis 

  • Eczema 

  • Psoriasis 

To be eligible, Gulf War veterans must have served in Southwest Asia, including Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. 

VA Disability Ratings for Common Skin Conditions 

Disability ratings vary by condition and severity. Here are some examples: 

• Chloracne: Up to 30% for deep acne with nodules and cysts covering 40% or more of the face and neck. 

• PCT: Up to 60% for widespread lesions or ongoing systemic therapy. 

• Psoriasis: Ranges from 0% for mild scarring to 100% for incapacitating episodes. 

• Eczema/Dermatitis: Up to 60% for chronic symptoms requiring systemic medication. 

• Acne Vulgaris: Up to 30% for severe scarring and infections. 

• Vitiligo: Up to 30% for visible depigmentation impacting social or work life. 

• Urticaria (Hives): Up to 60% for chronic symptoms requiring systemic treatment. 

• Fungal Infections: Up to 60% for systemic involvement and recurring infections. 

• Solar Keratosis: Up to 30% for extensive lesions requiring ongoing care. 

• Skin Cancer & Melanoma: Temporary 100% during active treatment, with post-treatment ratings based on scarring and disfigurement. 

How to Establish a Service Connection 

To file a successful claim for a skin condition, veterans generally need: 

• A current diagnosis 

• Evidence of an in-service event or exposure 

• A medical nexus linking the condition to military service 

This evidence threshold is reduced for presumptive conditions, but timing and eligibility still matter. 

Need Help Appealing or Filing a Claim? 

The VA claims process can be frustrating and complex, whether you’re dealing with psoriasis, chloracne, or another chronic skin condition. If you’ve been denied or underrated, contact Hill & Ponton for a free case evaluation to see how we can help.

If you’re facing challenges with your claim and need assistance, reach out for a free case evaluation.

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Join us today at 1400 hours EST for a new Livestream with our legal team!

Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 30 minutes prior to the Livestream starting, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

Were You Exposed to “Forever Chemicals” in Your Water Supply?

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic substances widely used in firefighting foams, water-resistant products, and industrial applications. These chemicals have been found in dangerously high concentrations in some water supplies, including on or near military bases. Learn if your military base was impacted using our Toxic Exposure Map.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to severe health conditions, such as:

• Testicular Cancer

• Kidney Cancer

• Ulcerative Colitis

• Liver Cancer

If you or a loved one lived or worked in areas with PFAS contamination and have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, you may qualify for compensation.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.

🗺️ TACTICS

Connecting the Dots: How a Fatal Fall Was Linked to Agent Orange Exposure Years Later 

In a thoughtful conversation between Hill & Ponton video producer Nate Flemming and attorney Ursula Mecabe, the two reflect on a case involving a veteran whose passing was initially attributed to blunt force trauma from a ladder fall, but was ultimately linked to a service-connected heart condition stemming from Agent Orange exposure during his service in Vietnam. 

At the time of his death, the veteran held a 60% VA rating for ischemic heart disease and had been receiving TDIU benefits for seven years. While the death certificate cited only trauma as the cause, further investigation revealed that the fall was likely the result of a cardiac episode, possibly fainting caused by complications from his heart condition or related medications. 

Although the initial DIC claim was denied, the case was ultimately successful. Attorney Mecabe highlighted the importance of reviewing the full scope of medical history, carefully evaluating prescription side effects, and being willing to challenge incomplete or inaccurate documentation. An expert medical opinion proved essential in establishing the connection between the veteran’s condition and his untimely death. 

This case serves as an important reminder: service-connected conditions may have complex, long-term impacts, and not every loss will present straightforwardly. With compassionate advocacy, attention to detail, and persistence, even difficult claims can result in the benefits, recognition, and closure that surviving families deserve.

Need Help with an Appeal? Hill & Ponton is Here for You

At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA appeals process to secure the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you're facing a denied claim, an appeal for a higher rating, or need assistance gathering critical evidence, our team is ready to advocate for you.

Use our VA Disability Calculator to see if your current rating aligns with your level of disability and explore potential increases based on any secondary conditions you may have. Calculate Your VA Disability Rating Now!