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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.,A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran’s chronic kidney disease is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residual scarring from acne vulgaris, finding that the current disability is causally related to the in-service condition.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris of the face and back is rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has never covered more than 20% of his entire body or exposed areas.

The Board dismissed the claims for chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for leukemia has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis/bone spurs and tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new evidence and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability, including dermatitis, is at least as likely as not related to his service and granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae was found to affect less than five percent of the total body area and exposed areas, or require intermittent systemic therapy. As a result, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has denied requests for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for IBS, seborrheic dermatitis / tinea versicolor, and tension headaches. The earliest claims were received on July 15, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depression and TDIU benefits, finding that the earliest possible effective dates were April 7, 2009.

The Veteran's skin disability is remanded for additional examination and treatment records to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a link between the Veteran's in-service military sexual trauma and his current psychiatric disorder. The other issues were dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. Additional development is needed to verify his reported exposures in Puerto Rico.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis is reopened and granted. The appeal for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, chronic bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis, is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.,His tinea pedis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder condition and skin disorders due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran's right shoulder condition may be aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder, but this needs further clarification. For the skin disorders, there is a need for an opinion on whether they are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder condition and skin disorders due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran's right shoulder condition may be aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder, but this needs further clarification. For the skin disorders, there is a need for an opinion on whether they are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for sinusitis, back disability (including scoliosis with sciatica), upper respiratory infection, bilateral knee degenerative disc disease, hiatal hernia, and folliculitis. The remand requests additional examinations and reviews of records.

The Veteran's service-connected folliculitis barbae is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there has been no demonstration of systemic therapy or more than 40% body surface area affected.

The Board has decided to remand four issues: reopening the service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, rating a left foot strain with hallux valgus and calluses, rating a costochondral strain of the left chest wall, and rating headaches. The Veteran is also asked to provide medical records from Hillside Family Center and complete a VA Form 21-8940.