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

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to insufficient information about the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The VA needs to verify these periods and determine if they are related to her current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fungal infection of the feet/toes and skin disability (to include chloracne) have been denied. The appeals for increased ratings for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, tinea cruris, atrial fibrillation, PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy are either denied or granted but subject to specific conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability. The case is remanded for further development, including an examination by a dermatologist.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating for tinea pedis with peeling and redness involving the hands, feet, and groin area, with nail changes.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease, chloracne, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are also remanded due to a lack of effective date prior to November 17, 2010.

The Veteran's PFB is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied both his request for an increased rating and his claim for TDIU benefits due to PFB.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sickle cell trait with bleeding and migraines, sleep apnea (Gulf War exposure), erectile dysfunction (secondary to hernia and medications), degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, allergic rhinitis, and inguinal hernia. The Veteran is also requested to provide a DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's psoriasis and diabetes mellitus, type II, are related to his exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminants. The VA needs to obtain an additional opinion from a medical expert to determine if these conditions are directly related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and folliculitis of the scalp and neck were denied. The claim for a separate 30 percent rating for folliculitis from January 11, 2017, was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for eczema of the hands and feet were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the conditions to service, and the current ratings are appropriate based on the severity of the skin condition.

The Veteran's psoriasis condition was not present during his service or for many years thereafter, and the evidence does not show a relationship to his military service. The Board denied the claim of service connection for psoriasis as due to toxic herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea with COPD and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lichen simplex claims are remanded for further evaluation due to unclear medical issues regarding the application of the old version of DC 7806 with respect to his treatment, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the percentage of body area affected.

The Veteran's dyshidrotic eczema, bladder cancer, vision impairment, and osteoarthritis of the left ankle have not been granted compensable ratings or service connection. The claims for dyshidrotic eczema and vision impairment are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for osteoarthritis of the left ankle is also denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeals seeking revision of the March 1995 rating decision regarding hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, seborrheic dermatitis of the face and scalp, and right hand and wrist rash on the basis of CUE have been dismissed based on res judicata.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eczema is granted. The Board finds that the criteria for a maximum 60 percent disability rating have been approximated since the beginning of the claim.,A VA mental health examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, had its onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service stressor. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, specifically eczema.,A VA neurological examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current neurological disorder in his lower extremities and to assess its relationship to his military service. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, specifically a lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a rating in excess of 30 percent for acne vulgaris, finding that the increase was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to December 2, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence and additional development of his medical records is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disorder and TDIU due to potential in-service exposure to herbicide agents, but with consideration of other diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, neck disability, and low back disability. Service connection is also remanded for right clavicle tumor, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and chronic fatigue syndrome.