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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for deep acne vulgaris with disfigurement was granted. The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, perennial allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, ulcer condition (likely GERD), hemorrhoid disability, and bilateral tinea pedis due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The issues of increased ratings for various conditions are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and pseudofolliculitis barbae have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating for the period from January 12, 2015 to prior to January 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines prior to July 31, 2018 was denied.,A 50 percent rating for migraines from July 31, 2018 through December 19, 2018 was granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines after December 19, 2018 was denied.,Service connection for PTSD was not established prior to April 28, 2014 and a 70 percent rating has been granted since then.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted.,Service connection for TBI and CFS were both denied.,Service connection for a disorder manifested by radiation exposure was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including sleep disorder, respiratory disorder, acne scar disability, right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine (back) disability, left and right wrist disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, shin splints, and ankle disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances are remanded due to the lack of recent VA medical records, which could determine if he used his claimed medications in 2016. The case will be returned to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, including dermatitis, folliculitis, and a rash, is granted. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as nerve problems) is also granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected psoriasis is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and consideration of both old and new evaluation criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not cover more than 40% of his entire body or exposed areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification regarding service connection for internal hemorrhoids. The effective date of service connection for tinea pedis remains May 15, 1992.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hamstring disability, left and right upper extremity numbness and tingling, skin disability (tinea versicolor/tinea corporis), and PTSD.,Service connection is not granted for the appellant's claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability in any of these areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and potential need for VA examinations. The issues include neck condition, left knee condition, bilateral foot disability, allergic rhinitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of chest disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and sleep disability due to lack of new and material evidence for chest disability claim and insufficient evidence linking PFB and sleep disability to service.

The Veteran's residual hyperpigmentation of the face due to folliculitis is rated at 60 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment. The Veteran also did not meet the requirements for a TDIU as his other service-connected condition (tinea cruris and pedis) does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's psoriasis was characterized by at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body and exposed area affected; and only topical therapy for less than six weeks during the past 12-month period. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected psoriasis.

The Veteran's syncope and vasovagal reaction are not service-connected.,IBS and diverticulitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Bilateral ingrown toenails, multiple nevi on back, and eczema do not warrant higher evaluations.,Left shoulder strain does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,Obstructive sleep apnea requires use of a CPAP machine but does not warrant a higher rating.,Migraines are evaluated based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, meeting the criteria for a 50% evaluation.,Major depressive disorder with insomnia meets the criteria for a 70% evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD and PTSD, but has remanded the claims for tinea versicolor, migraine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD).,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.