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

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right first toe onychomycosis with bilateral tinea pedis was denied. The Board also noted that a separate 10 percent rating is not assignable for the ingrown right first toenail, status post nail removal.

The Veteran's skin condition, acne keloidalis involving the back of the scalp, is rated at 30 percent and does not warrant a higher rating as it does not affect more than 40 percent of his total body area or exposed areas, nor does he require constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis, specifically addressing whether his use of topical medications constitutes systemic therapy.

The Board has denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral pes planus, but granted service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination and insufficient reasoning regarding the Veteran's skin disability, which may be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorder, PTSD, and TDIU claims. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the origins of the Veteran's skin conditions, hypertension, diabetes, and left ankle condition. The Veteran is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a skin condition as a residual of VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the neck, sleep disorder (including narcolepsy and sleep apnea), PTSD, neurodermatitis, and TDIU due to incomplete development and lack of consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD, headaches, and insomnia are granted service connection. The remaining conditions (tinea pedis, iron deficiency anemia, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, memory loss after surgery during service, peripheral drusen, cataracts, and retina degeneration) have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a skin condition tinea cruris, claimed as 'jock itch', including as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical comment regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus causes or aggravates his tinea cruris.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of use of insulin or hospitalizations.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board remanded these issues as there are questions about their onset in service.,Service connection was established for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin fungus (tinea pedis), and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma).,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is not yet service connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted effective October 6, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, and the issue of a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded due to duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The dyshidrotic eczema of both hands claim was also denied due to insufficient affected area or systemic therapy.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings on appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's skin disorder, lichen planus, is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to it being caused by VA treatment during a prostate biopsy in December 2012. The issue of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral foot disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, including on the bilateral lower extremities, is being remanded due to incomplete examination results.

The Veteran's service-connected acne with hyperpigmentation has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation on or after February 25, 2013. The case is remanded due to inconsistencies in medical evidence and lack of clear entitlement to an increased rating.