Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical evidence and expert opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and a skin disorder (claimed as plaque parapsoriasis of the upper body) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, reproductive disorder, headache disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, sciatica/radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and sciatica/radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a skin disability, including eczema and urticaria, due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's active service records show treatment for these conditions during his period of honorable service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition and skin condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions began in service or are otherwise related to his active duty military service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastrointestinal, right hip, and low back disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any such disabilities began during service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (persistent rashes) is denied due to lack of documented in-service treatment and the absence of a chronic condition requiring a shaving profile.,Service connection for an undiagnosed illness is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher, prior to March 16, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for a greater than 30 percent disability rating for his bilateral pes planus from March 16, 2020 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims for service connection for skin conditions of the groin area and lower extremities are referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and thoracolumbar spine levoscoliosis curve, have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The reduction of the evaluation for service-connected tinea pedis from 50 percent to non-compensable was not proper, and restoration of the 50 percent rating is granted.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for perianal hydradenitis (claimed as cystic acne on the buttocks) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected skin disorder due to conflicting information and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's skin cancer of the left shoulder and back, as well as his psoriasis. The decision is based on direct evidence linking these conditions to exposure to jet fuel during military service.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted, as it was first diagnosed during active duty.,Service connection for CAD is also granted, with the Board noting that the hypertension likely aggravated this condition.

The Veteran's hyperhidrosis and epicondylitis were found to not warrant ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings, while his TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and TDIU prior to June 4, 2015. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include bilateral pes planus, glaucoma, GERD, right ankle sprain, scar, cervical spine strain degenerative disc, bilateral shin splints, asthma, and tinea pedis.

The Veteran's appeal of higher initial disability ratings for bilateral pes planus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal at a Board hearing.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), hypertension, cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (claimed as hypertensive heart disease), tinea pedis of the right foot, tinea pedis of the left foot, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to GERD/gastritis), a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD/gastritis, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of higher initial disability ratings for bilateral pes planus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal at a Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for onychomycosis and tinea pedis (bilateral feet) and an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, tinea pedis, and right knee disability is denied as the conditions are not etiologically related to his period of active duty from February 1950 to April 1957.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor, affecting 20 to 40 percent of exposed body area, is granted a 30 percent initial rating from August 1, 2012. Other service connection claims are denied.