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

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the Veteran's symptoms started in service and have continued since then. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements of continuing symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and eczematoid dermatitis are being remanded for further evaluation due to the passage of time since their last examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left kidney condition, tinea corporis (skin condition), chronic fatigue syndrome, and IBS have all been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.,A VA examination was ordered to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed IBS.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence received since his last Statement of the Case. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any recent medical care providers and updated VA treatment records.

Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and cyst on the left side of head, as well as bilateral foot skin disability (including dermatitis and fungus).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of eczema and GERD for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered.

The claim for service connection for a dental disability to include treatment purposes only is remanded.,The issues of service connection for skin, eye, and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional medical records.,The issue of service connection for prostate disability is remanded.,The issues of service connection for hypertension, thyroid disability, and sleep disorder (sleep apnea) are remanded.,The issues of effective date prior to December 12, 1989, for PTSD; initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD; and retroactive VA compensation benefits are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, bladder cancer (due to herbicide exposure), and a skin condition (formerly claimed as chloracne) due to VA not having obtained all relevant records and because an examination is needed to determine if any current bladder cancer is related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis of the right foot, finding no credible evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Her service-connected PTSD is rated at 50%.,Her TDIU (total disability rating based on individual unemployability) and her low back disability are both granted.

The appeal was denied as untimely and the claims for increased disability rating and service connection were not addressed due to untimeliness. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches/migraines, and sleep disability have been reopened with new evidence submitted.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, but has remanded several issues including service connection for a skin condition (claimed as eczema/folliculitis) and residuals of right hand fracture. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including skin ulcers of the lower extremities and hands, dermatitis, keratosis pilaris, or however diagnosed, are being remanded for further review due to procedural errors and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for acne (face and chest) and migraine headaches due to new evidence suggesting a worsening of these conditions since the last VA examinations in August 2012. The Veteran is required to provide additional information about her treatment, including private records, and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's skin condition and bladder cancer are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional research on the relationship between Agent Orange exposure and these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected eczema did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to November 6, 2018, or on and after November 6, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's use of topical corticosteroids constitutes systemic therapy. The claim will be further evaluated with medical opinion.

The Veteran is precluded from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected PTSD.,The statutory requirements for SMC at the housebound rate prior to August 8, 2017 have been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the use of systemic therapy for the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, which could affect the rating assigned.