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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability of the left upper extremity was reopened and granted.,Other claims were remanded due to lack of complete application forms.,Service connection was restored for stress headaches, hypertension, valvular heart disease (mitral valve prolapse), iron deficiency anemia, allergic rhinitis, right shoulder sprain/strain, left shoulder sprain/strain, neck sprain and strain, right knee sprain/strain, left knee sprain/strain, right ankle sprain, right hallux valgus, left eye cortical cataract, acne, atrophic vaginitis, and OSA with CPAP.,The Veteran's service connection for fusion of the right fourth finger distal interphalangeal joint was denied as clearly erroneous.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin conditions and onychomycosis. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion as to whether these conditions are related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,Tinea versicolor was initially granted an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, but not higher than 30 percent from February 22, 2017. The Veteran had intermittent systemic therapy required for more than 6 weeks during the past 12-month period.,The Veteran's tinea versicolor is rated at 30 percent effective from February 22, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a skin condition to include acne, and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's skin disorders and left-hand scars were denied service connection. The Veteran was not granted a compensable rating for his left hand scar.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted service connection. The Veteran is also found to have been exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand during his service there. However, the issues regarding peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and a skin disability remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, to include as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure, is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, and increased rating for headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin disability, including multiple dermatological conditions, is remanded due to inadequate examination records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current auditory thresholds do not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have not been met.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, eczema, athlete’s foot, and ingrown toenails of the great toes, and scars from moles removal are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder and left foot drop are denied, while the claim for service connection for skin disorder other than tinea corporis is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatitis, a condition he claimed originated in service, is service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a skin disorder other than primary vitiligo (diagnosed as dermatitis), and a disability manifested by tremors. The claim for secondary service connection for a left hand disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation regarding his entitlement to higher levels of SMC and a rating increase for his residual left knee injury. The Board found that he does not meet the legal criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) based on the lack of anatomical loss or use in his feet, hands, or eyes.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's skin disability, including whether it is related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for a dependent child based on school attendance was denied as the evidence did not show that information regarding D.G.'s status as a dependent school child was received within a year of his 18th birthday or when he began college.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's conditions, specifically erectile dysfunction, venous insufficiency, stasis dermatitis, depression, anxiety, and their relationship to hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection based on his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's chronic cough with shortness of breath related to episodic upper respiratory infections is granted service connection. His skin disability and joint pain are denied as not due to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of psoriasis has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received in order to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, as well as the reduction of the 100% evaluation for prostate cancer residuals.