Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's skin disability, other than the already service-connected bilateral foot fungal infection, was not incurred or aggravated by his military service due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for limitation of extension of the left forearm, increased ratings for limitation of flexion of the left forearm prior to March 8, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left wrist disorder. The Veteran's claims for bilateral tinea pedis are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, low back, and gastrointestinal conditions. The issues are related to whether these disabilities are related to service or other in-service events.

The Veteran's appeals on the merits have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's right shoulder, back, dermatitis, right ankle, and left upper leg disabilities have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is established based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for the back disability is established due to in-service lifting duties resulting in chronic strain and functional overload. Dermatitis is linked to Gulf War exposure. Right ankle and left upper leg disabilities are secondary to service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral tinea cruris, postoperative hemorrhoidectomy disability, and pilonidal cyst disability due to outstanding records and scheduling of a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including skin disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, PTSD, and TDIU. The decision is based on insufficient evidence for some of these claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae, and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for bilateral knee disability due to lack of clear and unmistakable pre-service existence and no aggravation during service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's request to reopen her finally denied claim for service connection for a back condition was denied. Her claims for service connection for skin condition and bilateral knee condition were granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for compensable ratings for deviated nasal septum and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. The claims for left shoulder, pulmonary, skin (chloracne), and heart disabilities were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not caused by or related to service, and if so, whether it is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU appeal will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has secured and follows a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) has been denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and referred the TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and related disabilities are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for left foot disability, skin disability, seizure disability, hypertension, hepatitis C, herpes, and dental disability are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension, hepatitis C, and herpes are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for herpes and dental disability are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 1, 2006, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PFB is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding his headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to service-connected psoriasis causing irreparable damage to his outer garments is granted. The Board found the evidence in equipoise, with the Veteran's testimony and medical records supporting his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received after the February 2019 statement of the case. The claims will be reviewed by the AOJ for any additional information and then readjudicated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, and for increased ratings for PTSD, traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine; residuals right knee injury; right inguinal hernia; fracture of the left index finger; and tinea versicolor.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for hypertension and a headache disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not established, and additional evidence is needed to determine the nature of his conditions.