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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis and an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) are both denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as his need for assistance stems primarily from his non-service-connected cyclical vomiting syndrome.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations of various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The right shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and multiple sclerosis claims are still pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for Hepatitis C and a skin disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety has been granted a 50 percent rating.,Seasonal allergic rhinitis is not compensable under the applicable rating criteria.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral radiculopathy of the left and right sciatic nerves have all been granted.,Service connection for eczema has been granted.,Service connection for headaches has been granted.,Left ankle injury with residual small bony fragment of the left os navicularis has been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, folliculitis scars on the face, irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, and bronchitis have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for paresthesia in the right foot and toes is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder chronic pain is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and hypertension. Service connection was not granted for dermatitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's chloracne and other skin conditions, specifically whether they are related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), finding that the condition does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent under either pre-August 2018 or post-August 2018 VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colitis and seborrheic dermatitis, as these conditions may be related to exposure in Southwest Asia. The VA needs to schedule appropriate examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

A 30 percent rating for migraines is granted from July 7, 2015 to March 5, 2019. A higher rating for migraines is denied.,A 30 percent disability rating for acne is granted effective March 5, 2019. The Veteran's acne was rated as superficial prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal of reducing her acne with scarring of the face and neck disability rating from 30 percent to zero percent is dismissed because it was only a proposed reduction, not an official decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected dermatitis with hidradenitis suppurativa, including any impact on her scalp and ankle conditions. The examiner should also consider whether her skin disabilities result in disfigurement or scars.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has been granted. The rating for PFB remains at 10 percent, and the rating for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's moles on the back were resolved during service and removed. The right mandibular deviation with TMJ has also been resolved, as has his contact dermatitis.,Service connection for these conditions is denied as there are no current disabilities or evidence of their onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluation for tinea pedis and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for right knee strain were denied as the Veteran failed to respond to requests from VA to schedule him for examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema/rash/hives with itchy scalp and esophagus problems have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to in-service herbicide exposure or service-connected dermatomyositis.

The Veteran's service-connected psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not cover more than 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, nor does he require constant systemic therapy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are permanently disabling and to determine his eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35.

The Board dismissed the appeals of proposed reductions in ratings for acne and generalized anxiety disorder and insomnia as no final rating decision had been issued.