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

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of GERD. The MRSA with chronic dermatitis case is also being remanded for extraschedular review due to marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalizations.

The Veteran's psoriasis was not found to affect more than 40 percent of her entire body or exposed areas, nor did it require constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for psoriasis is denied.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including follicular inflammation, PFB, acne, rosacea, dermatitis, and alopecia, are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's chronic dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as per Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record after a Substantive Appeal was filed. The VA treatment records are relevant and must be considered in an SSOC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected asthma treatment caused his diagnosed skin disorder, chronic folliculitis. Therefore, service connection for chronic folliculitis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for cystic acne and facial scarring was denied as there is no evidence of visible or palpable tissue loss, which prevents a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's claim for second annual clothing allowances for the years 2012, 2015, and 2016 is being remanded due to incomplete documentation. The Board will review these claims again after all relevant documents are located.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory problems and granted a 10 percent rating for tinea corporis. The remaining issues have been remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia has been granted. The VA has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for psoriasis.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for service connection of PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, chloracne, and secondary conditions. The appeals are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis, dermatographism, and pruritus have worsened, and a higher evaluation is warranted. The Board has ordered additional examinations to assess the current severity of her disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for psoriasis and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of an opinion on the relationship between these conditions and service, as well as the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection was also denied for bipolar disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 0% prior to October 7, 2013 and at 10% thereafter. The Veteran is also entitled to a 10% rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 for his service-connected disabilities that interfere with normal employability.

The Veteran's eczema is rated at 60 percent since November 23, 2015. The Board denied an increase in the rating for his eczema as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The initial compensable rating for tinea pedis and tinea unguium is denied, with the condition affecting less than 5% of his body requiring only topical therapy. TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination as the previous ones did not account for the Veteran's flare-ups during summer when his skin condition is at its worst.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a foot condition, including angioedema, and tinea versicolor is remanded due to the need for further development. The issue of increased rating for tinea versicolor requires an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hypertension, presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, was also denied.