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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions. The cases are now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions provided by the VA examiners. The issues include bilateral shoulder disability, right hand joint pain, bilateral elbow and knee pain, cervical spine disability, renal cell carcinoma, neuropathy of lower extremities, osteoarthritis of left hand ring finger, hypertension, hiatal hernia with GERD, atopic dermatitis, migraine headaches, and bilateral condylar flattening indicative of degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for premature ejaculation disability and tinea corpora due to inadequate reasoning in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, lumbar spine disability, neck disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder and severe alcohol use disorder) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any current disabilities related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for acne is granted, but his claim for a skin disorder other than acne is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, dermatological disorders, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. Additional development is required as the previous opinions are inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, but did not find any clear and unmistakable error in the previous rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for left hip DJD, left foot plantar fasciitis, and gastrointestinal disorder. The current noncompensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis is upheld.

Service connection for multiple sclerosis is granted. The claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral tinea pedis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The VA has determined that new evidence supports the reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 21, 2015 rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and unguium were granted a 60 percent rating effective September 19, 2016. The appeal is remanded for further development.,COPD and variously diagnosed psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) are also being remanded.

The Veteran's eczema is rated at 30 percent since July 5, 2017. The condition affects more than 20 to 40 percent of the exposed areas and requires intermittent systemic therapy (topical corticosteroids).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, but granted service connection for a left shoulder keloid scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted initial ratings of 10 percent for shin splints of the right leg, left leg, folliculitis of the bilateral arms, otitis externa of the left ear, and blepharitis of the left eye.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia is reopened, but the condition is not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for upper and lower back pain is denied as there is no evidence that the condition began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus/flat feet is denied because it preexisted his entry into active service and the presumption of soundness applies.,Service connection for ED secondary to sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence showing worsening of the condition due to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral tinea pedis (Athlete’s Foot) is denied because there is no evidence that it began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,Service connection for vertigo is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria to be considered secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as to assess the severity of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a skin disability, specifically tinea cruris, is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the condition.