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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider relevant evidence. The claim will be reviewed again with a new addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions do not necessitate regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chloracne and skin cancer, finding that additional development is needed to clarify the nature of his current disabilities and their etiology.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is presumed to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.,The Veteran’s left shoulder, forearm sprain, and mandible disabilities are rated under the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and dermatitis have been granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is being remanded.,An initial compensable rating for dermatitis has been granted with an effective date of October 14, 2014.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and toenail fungus have been rated at 30 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's skin disability rating criteria.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and hearing loss have been denied. The left ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and psychiatric disability (excluding PTSD) are remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral breast disability, finding that the current diagnosis of pseudogynecomastia was not caused by or related to the Veteran's service.,The Board also denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, concluding that it did not stem from the Veteran's service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for all the listed conditions, and as a result, these appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acne and dermatitis are related to his service. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from October 14, 2009 to June 26, 2012. The Board granted TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left ankle sprain, lumbar degenerative arthritis and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome are granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for Lyme disease is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a left calf disability is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for acne is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor, headaches, hypertension, and bilateral upper extremity tremors as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's onychomycosis is related to his service-connected tinea pedis. The rating for PTSD remains denied.

The claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, left knee disability, pseudofolliculitis of the scalp, and tonsillitis have all been denied. The Veteran's applications to reopen these claims were not successful.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right knee disabilities, a right hand disability, a low back disability, sleep problems, GERD, IBS, varicose veins, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeals are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of PFB that had its onset during service and is related to his military service. Service connection for low back disability is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine if any diagnosed condition is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for seborrheic dermatitis and to reopen his claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim for attorney fees has been dismissed as the former attorney waived his right to fees based on past due benefits granted in November 2018 and February 2019 decisions.