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

The Board denied service connection for chloracne, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eczema is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn. The cases of gout, dermatitis, and a higher rating for PTSD are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for joint pain, abnormal weight loss, eczema, left knee disability, and stomach condition are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examination did not fully capture the severity of the Veteran's PFB, and a new examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as the last VA examination was conducted over four years ago.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective January 21, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chloracne is granted, while his presumptive service connection claim for diverticulitis due to Agent Orange exposure is denied. The compensable rating claim for left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, degenerative arthritis of the neck, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left knee tendonitis and right knee tendonitis. The Veteran's facial scarring is rated as a disfigurement with one characteristic of disfigurement warranting a 10% rating. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae with scarring has been granted but no compensable rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, hypertension, residuals of colon cancer, chloracne, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to herbicide exposure. Additional development is required including obtaining VA treatment records, authorization for a physical examination, and VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and a skin disorder other than dermatitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted for urinary tract cancer as there is no current diagnosis or relevant medical records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including eye pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability resulting from silica inhalation, hypercholesterolemia, tinea versicolor, and a condition claimed as Gulf War illness. The Veteran also had his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae dismissed.

The Veteran's PFB, athlete’s foot, and toenail condition have been granted service connection. The Veteran's gout has been denied as there is no functional impairment resulting from the disability.,Service connection for residuals of any type of hepatitis (other than Hepatitis C) and thyroid condition has not been established.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for scars with disfigurement due to pseudofolliculitis barbae and a painful scar, as well as the earlier effective date claims. The Veteran's service-connected scars have been assigned separate 10 percent ratings based on one painful scar and one characteristic of disfigurement (scar measuring 5 or more inches).

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal before a decision was made, thus all issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's VA disability benefits were reduced due to the recoupment of her separation pay. The appeal is denied as the law requires the recouping of separation pay from VA disability compensation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of her anemia with syncope and fatigue syndrome, uterine fibroid disability, and dermatitis.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for tinea versicolor has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of an increased rating for residuals of TBI.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for a heart murmur is dismissed as moot due to the grant in December 2013. The claims for increased disability evaluations for sinusitis, hemorrhoids, and tinea pedis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate reasons and bases in previous decisions, particularly regarding left knee and hip disorders.