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

The Veteran's skin disability, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, ulcerative colitis, anemia, acne and boils (skin condition), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea is denied because there is no current evidence of a diagnosis of tinea.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for an eye condition was granted. The claims for service connection for a skin condition and diabetes were denied.

The claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed. The claims for a higher initial rating for psychiatric disability prior to November 18, 2013 and service connection for tinea pedis are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 60 percent, effective December 17, 2010. The Board found that the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in gross distortion or asymmetry of facial features and does not affect more than 40% of exposed areas or require constant systemic therapy.

The Veteran's claims for boils of the hips and buttocks, chloracne, and tinnitus have all been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for CAD has been granted in part (May 14, 2015) but denied in part.

The Veteran's skin condition, including tinea pedis and onychomycosis, has affected more than just his feet. The VA examiner will need to evaluate the severity of the condition during a flare-up period.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims related to hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as for service connection for various disabilities. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to obtain private medical records and participate in a VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied claims for left wrist condition, right wrist condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition. The claim for a left knee condition is also denied. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for erectile dysfunction and lump in the right breast have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for his right triceps scar has been denied.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right elbow condition, thymus gland removal, digestive issues, lactose intolerance, residuals of a thorn in thumb nail, and headaches have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral spine, left knee, and skin disabilities are being remanded due to the need to associate missing VA examination reports with the claims file and obtain new examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right leg condition, PFB, diabetes mellitus, or bilateral hearing loss. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his time in service, particularly related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings, as they are inextricably intertwined. The claims will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left heel spur, and erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn. The Board has not found a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.,The Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded for further examination and opinion. His right ankle tendonitis and bilateral knee disabilities are also remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The reduction of the disability rating for contact dermatitis and light sensitivity from 30 percent to 0 percent effective September 1, 2016 was improper. The Veteran's disability rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, Tinea Pedis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his right wrist disability, chloracne, and psychiatric condition.