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

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the severity of the service-connected tinea corporis. The claim will be returned for further consideration with a new, adequate retrospective VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's folliculitis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective May 11, 2017. The Board found that the condition affects more than 5 percent but less than 20 percent of his body and granted this initial rating.

The Veteran's plaque psoriasis is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and chloracne, both linked to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange), are denied as there is no evidence of current disability related to these conditions.

Service connection for tinea cruris and bilateral knee disability is granted, while service connection for diarrhea is denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during Southwest Asia service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical examination and unclear rating criteria application. The Veteran's skin disability is now rated as Porphyria Cutanea Tarda with dyshidrotic eczema, effective August 22, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, left varicocele, and dermatitis of the hands but denied service connection for a right heel disorder (heel spur) and a respiratory disorder (bronchitis, pneumonia, lung lesion).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot condition, presbyopia and astigmatism of the eyes, obstructive sleep apnea, left upper extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral nerve radiculopathy, surgical scars on knees, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, total right knee replacement, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinea corporis and onychomycosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, rectal fissures/hemorrhoids, malaria residuals, and service connection for TDIU have been granted. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hand disorders, and eczematoid dermatitis due to incomplete development of records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne, finding that it is related to herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and tinea cruris, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service. The other issues on appeal have been remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was rated at 20 percent prior to January 12, 2017 and increased to 40 percent from January 12, 2017 to November 1, 2018.,From November 1, 2018 onwards, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 40 percent.

The Board granted service connection for a back disorder and reopened the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disability, diagnosed as eczema of her neck and bilateral hands, arose in service and have been recurrent since then. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sun/skin sensitivity, seborrheic keratosis, dermatofibroma, lentigo, and folliculitis, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective August 20, 2019. The TDIU is granted on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin disorder other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, to include vitiligo and post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical opinions on his exposure claims and examining him for any current skin disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for palmar-plantar psoriasis and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been denied. The maximum schedular rating available (60%) is already assigned, and the Board finds that the symptoms are adequately addressed by this rating.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's fungal infection of the feet, finding that it did not affect at least 5 percent of his body and was consistently treated with topical antifungal medications.

The Veteran's current bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.