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

A rating of 30 percent for scrotal crural dermatitis is granted from April 7, 2014 to June 22, 2014. Ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied for the periods prior to April 7, 2014 and beginning June 23, 2014 until July 14, 2017. A rating in excess of 60 percent is denied as of July 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea (secondary to other specified and trauma-related disorder), gastrointestinal disability other than GERD, paralysis of the left vocal cord, paralysis of the left hemidiaphragm, syncope, and kidney disability have all been granted. The Veteran is also presumed to have served in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for a right knee disability, evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for left shoulder strain, evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for left ankle strain, and evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for dermatitis. The case is REMANDED to obtain new examinations that comply with Correia v. McDonald (28 Vet. App. 158) and provide opinions on the etiology of the right knee disability and the severity of the left shoulder, left ankle, and dermatitis disabilities.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and thus the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's eczema and gastroesophageal disease (GERD) were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an initial rating exceeding noncompensable.

The Veteran's tinea pedis of the bilateral feet is not rated as compensable, while his hypertension remains under consideration due to potential service connection based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and insufficient consideration of additional evidence, including VA medical records. The Veteran is advised to submit any additional medical or lay evidence related to her tinea pedis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asthma is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

Service connection for dermatitis, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral knee arthritis is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral neuropathic arthropathy of the feet secondary to service-connected diabetes is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pseudophakia and right eye corneal scar are granted service connection.,Weight loss is not a disability for VA compensation purposes, thus the claim is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury during service that resulted in current headaches.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s esophageal stricture with cirrhosis of the liver and alcohol hepatitis has been manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, and sleep disturbances without substernal, arm, or shoulder pain. The condition does not result in considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, is granted. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current skin conditions are related to her service. The Veteran is asked to provide a VA examination to determine if her skin conditions were incurred during her period of active service.

The Veteran's left knee strain is granted service connection. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 7, 2019 and from March 7, 2019 are both denied. The initial rating for dermatitis of the hands prior to March 21, 2019 is denied, but a 10% rating is granted from that date.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PFB prior to October 29, 2014 was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. For the period beginning October 29, 2014, the Veteran received a 60% rating based on near-constant systemic therapy (doxycycline). The claim for an increased rating beyond this level is also denied.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 10 percent, and his residuals from a left tympanic membrane perforation are granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in equipoise for both issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, as it is unclear whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's PTSD and his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's skin condition did not affect more than 20 percent of the entire body or exposed areas, and did not require systemic therapy to control. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected bilateral lower extremity neurodermatitis is denied.

Your claims for service connection have been dismissed as you opted to proceed with the modernized review system.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's skin condition, and a VA examination is needed to determine if he has chloracne or other skin conditions related to service.