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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder characterized as photoallergic dermatitis is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the pending reduction of his prostate cancer rating and SMC based on housebound criteria. The issue will be reconsidered after these reductions are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his cervical spine disability, right leg disability, folliculitis, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and lumbar strain. The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis was denied as these conditions are not directly related to his military service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for mood disorder with depression were also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for scars of the upper back and face, rosacea, and contact dermatitis of the hands. The TDIU issue is also remanded as part of the initial rating claim.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. A new VA audiological examination is needed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Stargardt’s disease (claimed as residuals of a bilateral eye injury) is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the condition preexisted service and if it was subjected to superimposed disease or injury during service. A VA examination is also needed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is remanded as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. A new VA audiological examination is needed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a rib cartilage disability is remanded due to the need to locate service treatment records from sick bay and obtain an opinion regarding whether the condition had its onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development. The initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been granted, but the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent from December 13, 2010 for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have not been met.

The Veteran's hypertension and tinea versicolor with tinea corporis claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification of treatment history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to new and additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and examination reports. The Veteran will be asked to provide details about his employment positions and undergo another VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claim can be adjudicated, including updated VA examinations and a Supplemental Statement of the Case evaluating the Veteran's skin conditions and addressing whether they should be evaluated as distinct conditions affecting separate body parts under individual Diagnostic Codes.

The Veteran's psoriasis and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include bipolar disorder and anxiety are both granted service connection as they began during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee pain, tinea pedis, and hemorrhoids due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's symptoms are currently mild or moderate.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral tinea pedis as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected sarcoidosis, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to perform daily activities and protect him from hazards in his environment.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating of 20 percent for chloracne was granted, effective from the date of receipt of the claim. The appeal regarding an earlier effective date for service connection was denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin disability with scarring to include acne vulgaris, comedones, skin lesions and dermatitis is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinea pedis with bilateral ingrown toenails has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified trauma related disorder is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.