Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for acne due to exposure to burn pits, finding no evidence of a link.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, psoriasis, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and cardiovascular disease, are evaluated. The Board finds that a current evaluation is needed to determine their combined effect on his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to the lack of an adequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's skin rash, and requests additional information from the Veteran and further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for PFB and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess current symptoms and their impact on his ability to function.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded three issues: eosinophilic esophagitis, psoriasis, and diarrhea.

The claim for service connection for a low back condition has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for cervical spine degenerative changes, but the appeal on CAD and diabetes mellitus type II was remanded due to lack of opinion from VA examiners. The Veteran's acne vulgaris disability remains in dispute.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) has been dismissed. The issues of an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for lumbar disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and reductions of evaluations. The primary focus is on determining whether the Veteran's conditions are secondary to herbicide exposure or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does he have ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral keratoconus, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for cervical strain was also denied.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and herpes zoster were granted service connection. The Board also found that the evidence was at least in equipoise for his other conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability, costochondritis, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, psoriasis, heart disability, hypertension, IBS, cholecystectomy, and thyroid disability.

Allergic rhinitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were granted service connection effective August 26, 2008. The Veteran's claims for new and material evidence for sickle cell trait with bleeding and migraines, sleep apnea due to Gulf War exposure, erectile dysfunction secondary to hernia and medications for sickle cell trait, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, initial compensable rating for inguinal hernia, and initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) are remanded.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including muscle spasms, lumbar and cervical spine disorders, hip, knee, ankle, and leg disorders, PTSD, GERD with chronic gastritis and duodenitis, and eczematous dermatitis. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of spinal meningitis. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for psoriasis in April 1996, and new evidence has reopened the claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis, fibrocystic disease status post bilateral mastectomy, LQTS status post heart failure, adenomyosis status post hysterectomy, and lumbar spine disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective from September 23, 2014 to October 26, 2015. The Veteran experienced total social and occupational impairment during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's skin condition is an undiagnosed illness related to his Persian Gulf service or chemical exposure. The claim for a skin condition, also claimed as contact dermatitis, will be further evaluated with additional medical opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, low back disability, bilateral wrist disabilities (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and right knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection of Acne and a rating in excess of 30 percent.