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

The Board has decided to remand several claims for additional development and evidence collection, including seeking outstanding VA medical records and obtaining the Veteran's consent to obtain private medical records.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection of ankylosing spondylitis, bilateral hip degenerative joint disease, a bilateral eye disability, psoriasis, a cervical spine disability, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as these issues have been rendered moot due to their resolution in favor of the Veteran. The claim for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the right foot was granted on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including seborrheic dermatitis and acne keloidalis nuchae, are granted service connection. Service connection for PFB is denied. Service connection for hypertension and hiatal hernia is also denied.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, is granted. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, left fifth finger disability, tinea cruris, and headaches due to issues with the assigned ratings. The Veteran is also asked to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records pertinent to these disabilities since separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar disc disease and cervical disc disease with right shoulder disability, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the service connection claims for a back condition, diverticulitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

The Veteran is granted TDIU based on major depressive disorder and SMC at the housebound rate effective January 24, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include major depressive disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, residual pseudofolliculitis barbae scar, painful scars, and recurrent abscesses (MRSA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board granted an initial rating of 60 percent for tinea versicolor from July 2, 2014 to April 17, 2016 and denied a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinea unguium pedis, to include unstable or painful scars is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ankle disability was denied in an August 1994 rating decision. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim, so the denial remains final. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's dermatitis has been granted an initial 10 percent rating, effective October 16, 2013. The condition requires intermittent systemic therapy with corticosteroids for less than six weeks in the past year.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bowel condition, cancer of the uterus, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, and bilateral pes planus are not supported by the evidence. The appeals have been remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation of a skin examination, specifically missing color photographs. The appellant is required to be re-examined for pseudofolliculitis barbae and new photographs should be taken.

The Board has denied service connection for a right little finger disability and remanded the claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, allergic rhinitis, foot fungus (likely athlete's foot), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to incomplete information in his VA 21-2680 form. A new VA examination is required to determine if he meets the requirement for aid and attendance due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin conditions, particularly his basal cell carcinoma. The Veteran is seeking service connection for all skin conditions.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied an initial compensable rating prior to January 31, 2018 and a higher than 30 percent rating thereafter. The Board found that the condition did not meet criteria for any higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and seborrheic keratosis, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.