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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain recent VA treatment records and conduct current VA examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for various conditions are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disorder, post-operative residuals of abdominal surgery, and an increased rating for head acne scarring. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.,The Veteran's left elbow disorder is not related to his time in-service, as evidenced by pre-existing conditions noted prior to his entry into service. His post-operative residuals of abdominal surgery are already covered under a separate rating for the painful scar. The acne scarring has resolved and does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis, right and left foot plantar fasciitis, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.,Service connection was also denied for rhinitis and stomach disability.

The Veteran's psoriasis of the groin area is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not involve more than 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and denied a higher initial rating for tinea pedis.

The Veteran's glaucoma and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension, sinusitis, ischemic heart disease, and chloracne are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for PFB. The right knee disability is also granted as secondary to left knee patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The VA examiner was requested to consider the Veteran's in-service chemical exposure, post-service onset of symptoms, and potential risk factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's eczema rating was restored to 60 percent effective March 1, 2018. TDIU was granted throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating for the entire period on appeal, while his dermatitis/eczema remains rated at 10 percent. The decision does not address service connection theory or exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for psoriasis of the fingers and toenails, as well as psoriatic arthritis. The case was previously before the Board in May 2018 when it was also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a mental health disorder manifesting as ADHD, a left knee disability, and dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board denied a higher rating for PFB from November 5, 2014 to November 26, 2018 and granted the maximum rating of 30% since November 27, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining opinions from medical experts on whether any of the Veteran's service-connected skin disability medications should be considered as systemic medications that like act like immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with history of pneumonia and COPD was rated as noncompensable prior to March 13, 2018. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on FEV-1/FVC post-bronchodilator results.,The Veteran's tinea pedis was rated as zero percent (noncompensable) prior to March 13, 2018. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on affected body areas or systemic therapy.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for dermatitis, psoriasis, and xerosis of the left foot as well as the claim for an initial compensable evaluation for tinea pedis of the left foot. The TDIU claim is also being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to in-service noise exposure.,PTSD is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence of a verified stressor event. The Veteran's reported incidents could not be corroborated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psoriasis and eczema are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder of the face or neck, including pseudofolliculitis barbae and eczematous dermatitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury.