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

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his skin condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, dermatitis, and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of these conditions during or after service.

Effective October 4, 2012, a 50 percent rating for anxiety disorder is granted. A 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism is granted. A 10 percent rating for residuals of TBI with intermittent dizziness is granted. A 10 percent rating for pityrosporum folliculitis is granted.

Service connection is denied for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. The skin condition claim is remanded.

The Veteran's TBI, epilepsy, and migraines are granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for a skin condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness, fungal dermatitis, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder has been reopened. The initial disability rating for bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to December 8, 2019 is granted at 10 percent. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for dermatitis and urticaria from 60 to 30 percent, effective January 1, 2020, was proper based on improvement in his condition.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne, finding no evidence of a current disability and noting that the Veteran's STRs did not reflect any skin condition. The Board also found no evidence of chloracne to a degree of 10 percent or more within a year of last exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for tinea cruris and remanded the issue of service connection for asbestosis. The case is being returned to the July 2020 examiner for a determination on whether any identified pulmonary/respiratory disability, including asbestosis, is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess his eczema and keloid scars. The GERD claim is also referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder on the feet, hammertoe, and onychomycosis. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There was no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed foot disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to schedule VA examinations as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been denied, but the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for chronic cephalgia.

The Board has determined that the cause of death (listed as brain cancer with a contributory cause listed as melanoma) is related to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's psoriasis, which was not service-connected, may have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also notes that VA treatment records from Fort Harrison and Missoula CBOC need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's skin condition, including psoriasis and vitiligo, is being reviewed again as there are conflicting reports of when it started. His nervous system disease (claimed as depression) is also under review.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including contact dermatitis and dermatophytosis, is granted service connection. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease at L3-L4 and L4-L5 are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and assistance or housebound status has been denied because his service-connected condition does not meet the criteria for SMC at either the aid and attendance rate or the housebound rate.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including acne, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion.,The Veteran's heart disorder (including non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial flutter and congestive heart failure) is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion regarding its relationship to hypertension.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for eczema was granted, with the effective date beginning April 3, 2013 and ending February 2, 2017. The current rating of 10% is continued thereafter.