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

The Veteran's contact dermatitis and hypertension have been granted restoration of ratings, while the claims for service connection related to shoulder strains and sciatica are remanded.

The Veteran's skin conditions (onychomycosis of the feet, dyshidrotic eczema, and acne vulgaris) were previously rated but need further review to determine appropriate compensation levels.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he did not file a timely VA Form 10182 within the required timeframe.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, a skin disability, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions from physicians addressing the etiology of these conditions in relation to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ear basal cell carcinoma, a skin condition on the back (including chloracne and scar residuals), and an increased rating for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's exposure to toxic herbicide agents in service is presumed.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder, including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's stasis dermatitis was not related to his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis prior to October 16, 2012, and in excess of 60 percent from that date are being remanded due to the need for compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating for eczema prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for tinea versicolor and gastritis, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 28, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for loss of use of the creative organ, right ankle sprain, and a skin disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is found to have started during his active duty service and has continued since then, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's dyshidrotic eczema of the feet is rated as noncompensable, with less than 5% affected area and no systemic therapy required.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for eczema and dermatitis, an unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attacks, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was granted. The claim for service connection for skin disability due to herbicide agent exposure is also granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II) is granted.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) was granted. The decision found that the Veteran has a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitated selection of self-employment as the only reasonably feasible vocational goal.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for dermatitis/eczema as the evidence does not show that it more nearly approximates at least 5 percent of total body area or exposed areas affected, or intermittent systemic therapy required.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis was granted. The rating for eczema prior to July 5, 2017 and from July 5, 2017 to April 11, 2019 was denied. The rating for onychomycosis from October 9, 2016 to May 13, 2019 was denied. The rating for tinea pedis from October 9, 2016 to March 9, 2017 was denied. A rating of 60 percent for dermatophytosis with eczema starting from May 14, 2019 was granted.

A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted as of June 5, 2014.,Service connection for PFB is granted.,Service connection for Sleep Apnea and Erectile Dysfunction due to PTSD is granted.,Service connection for Tinnitus is remanded.,Service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DMII) is remanded.,Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods prior to and since August 26, 2011 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined 100% disability rating due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of performing daily activities or require regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded four issues: increased rating for a bilateral foot disability, rating in excess of 10 percent for skin disabilities, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and TDIU. The reasons are that there may be outstanding VA treatment records and private treatment records from Dr. Das.