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

The Veteran's PFB necessitates keeping short hairs over face, cheek, and neck areas exceeding six squares inches, comparable in effect to disfigurement from hypo- or hyper-pigmentation of those areas. The Board grants a 10 percent disability rating for his PFB effective October 16, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was granted effective February 2, 2017. The claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility was also granted effective November 28, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's tinea versicolor is related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as a skin disability and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied readjudication of the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea versicolor because VA did not receive new and relevant evidence after the initial AMA rating decision in December 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PFB was denied, and his service connection claim for bilateral lower extremities disorder (claimed as peripheral neuropathy and joint pain) was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PFB or service connection for the claimed disorders.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and psoriasis, including as due to herbicide exposure. The decision found no current disability for psoriasis and that the Veteran's reports of tinnitus were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition. The claims for corneal and nuclear sclerotic changes (blurred vision), arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left elbow, dermatitis (skin rash), erectile dysfunction, and sleep disorder are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), left foot disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a skin disorder due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is granted service connection as it started in service and has persisted since then.,Service connection for neurological symptoms due to an undiagnosed illness is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his low back disability and skin condition are remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for left hand fracture is denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis on the face with pseudofolliculitis barbae and left earlobe AK, finding that his use of topical corticosteroid for six weeks or more but not constantly warranted this increase.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not due to his active duty service. His bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied, but he was granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in rating criteria for skin conditions, and the need to consider both old and new regulations. The Veteran's tinea pedis treatment records must be obtained, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding his current treatment.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's current tinea versicolor is related to his in-service diagnosis of tinea versicolor, which occurred during active duty. The VA examiner must address this specific issue.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for cystic acne, service connection for left leg varicose veins, and service connection for right leg varicose veins are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain with osteoarthritic changes and left hip bursitis, both secondary to her psoriatic arthritis, are being remanded.,Her claim for a compensable disability rating for psoriatic arthritis is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae and the VA medical opinion did not provide adequate rationale regarding whether the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evaluation, including Parkinson's Disease, TBI residuals, skin disability, hypertension, OSA, an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and TDIU. The Veteran’s claims are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for Parkinson's Disease.