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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 7, 2020, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability are granted service connection, while the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis is denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims are being remanded due to conflicting medical records regarding the nature of his right leg disability, and the need to establish a direct relationship between herbicide exposure and his IBS, chloracne, prostate cancer, and hypertension.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. Service connection for left foot condition and pseudofolliculitis barbae are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The right knee bursitis and bilateral tinnitus cases are denied, while the other issues on appeal remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is remanded due to the need for a more detailed examination and assessment of his condition.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine if the Veteran's dermatitis of the groin and rectal areas are related to his service, including presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service. The case is being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded both the service connection for a skin condition, to include folliculitis, and the special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound claims due to insufficient development of records from the Veteran's service in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and his PTSD treatment at Lakeland VA Treatment Center.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for tinea versicolor and tinea pedis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent under either the pre-August 13, 2018 or August 13, 2018 regulations. The Veteran's appeals for restoration of disability ratings for GERD, left ankle disability, and right thigh scars were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination. The Veteran's service in Southwest Asia is considered, but a more comprehensive VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and incorrect adjudication of some issues. The appellant's claim for service connection is now recharacterized to include any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has decided the case is not clear and remands it for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's skin condition, including basal cell carcinoma and chloracne, is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

Service connection for an appendectomy scar is granted.,Service connection for a left elbow disability is denied. The Veteran's current treatment records are silent for a diagnosis of or treatment for a left elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient efforts by the AOJ in obtaining the Veteran's service records. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issues related to psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis remain pending as they were not discussed or addressed in the July 2013 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been reopened, and the claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been granted. The ratings for voiding dysfunction and painful scar status post lumbar fusion have been restored, as well as the ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatophytosis, including onychomycosis of the toenails, tinea pedis of the feet, and tinea cruris of the groin, is not rated higher than noncompensable. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with the effective dates being determined based on when his claims were received. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for status post right knee replacement, residuals of a fracture of the right tibia, and dyshidrotic eczema. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions and their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back condition with associated radiculopathy, prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU effective January 29, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand dermatitis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. Service connection was denied for right ear cholesteatoma.