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

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examination opinions and the need for translation of private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema, a chronic low back disorder, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The claim for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for eczema dermatitis with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating was also denied. The Board found that no higher rating is warranted for the condition throughout the period on appeal, and that the effective date should be December 23, 2009.

The Veteran is currently assigned a 30 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae effective October 6, 2010. The Board has remanded the case to schedule an examination and determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various skin and eye disabilities, including those claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Addison’s disease, eczema, and a back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or causation during service. The Veteran is presumed sound upon entry into service as to his back condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscular weakness and loss of control, dermatological or allergic disability of the hands, gastrointestinal disability, and neurological disability have been denied. The neurological claim is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions are rated as 10 percent for hallux malleus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran has other issues that have been REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disorder, low back disorder, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and skin disorder due to concerns about the adequacy of the medical opinions provided. The VA is instructed to obtain a new opinion from a clinician regarding whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hand disability, right hip arthritis, and left foot disability. The decision also remanded several issues for further development.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current skin disorders and his service-connected periarteritis nodosa.

The Veteran's tinea pedis affected less than 5 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, requiring only topical therapy. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to new evidence received. His bilateral hearing loss claim is reopened, but additional development is needed. The compensable rating and increased rating claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for lower back disability was denied. A 10 percent rating is granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae from February 23, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lower back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any such disability was incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his first post-service year onset of persistent symptoms.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 18, 1988 for service connection of tinea pedis. The Veteran previously filed a claim in 1986 and again in 1988, but the claims were denied due to lack of evidence supporting his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and for a compensable rating due to multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324, as these issues are related to his increased rating claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and eczema have been denied service connection, while other issues related to migraine headaches, elbow/forearm strain, right shoulder condition, hypertension, and bilateral knee disabilities have also been denied. The left ankle issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and dermatitis of the feet due to outstanding VA treatment records and further clarification on the extent of his service-connected dermatitis.