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

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis, manus, cruris.

The Veteran's skin disability, claimed as dermatitis (eczema), is rated noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing exposure to at least 5 percent but less than 20 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, and intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than six weeks during the past 12-month period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed.,Service connection was granted for right shoulder degenerative arthritis status post hemiarthroplasty with ankylosis, OSA, and a bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral neuropathy and periodic limb movement/RLS.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema prior to January 30, 2012 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it affected less than 20 percent of her entire body or exposed areas and no systemic therapy was required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for acne with hyperpigmentation due to a need for additional VA examination and development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea versicolor, finding that the Veteran's skin condition began in service and is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorder. A supplemental opinion is needed to determine if his current skin conditions are related to or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, but remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and provide an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected chloracne has been rated at 10 percent since February 9, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as there was no deep acne affecting more than 40% of the face and neck or intertriginous areas.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for acne, GERD, right tibia stress fracture, and left tibia stress fracture have been dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been remanded.

The Board has determined that the proper procedures were not followed in determining whether the Veteran is eligible for S-DVI due to his nonservice-connected conditions. The matter must be remanded to ensure compliance with all procedural requirements set forth in the M29-1, including obtaining Attending Physician's Statements (APSs) where required and ensuring that the severity of the nonservice-connected disabilities considered to be disqualifying is accurately considered.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection.,The Veteran's claims for left knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea are remanded to obtain additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is now entitled to a rating of 10 percent for his service-connected neck scar. His claims for left and right knee disorders, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and radiculopathy due to thoracolumbar disorder are all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to undergo examinations to determine the current severity of his right wrist, eczematoid dermatitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, PTSD, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and left wrist conditions.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a skin disability of the left palm is granted. The claim for a 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids is granted, but his claim for service connection for a skin disability of the palms is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received after the June 2019 statement of the case.

The Board denied service connection for PFB as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the Veteran's claim was not credible.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acne with residual scars is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's complex regional pain syndrome right upper extremity type 2, claimed as right hand injury, results in severe incomplete neurological impairment and is granted a 50% disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip bursitis with limitation in flexion, thigh impairment, and extension have been denied as the evidence does not show that these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left hip bursitis with thigh impairment has also been denied due to lack of limitation in abduction, adduction, or rotation.