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

The Veteran's skin condition, including chloracne, is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to address whether it is at least as likely as not related to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has hypertension that may be related to his diabetes mellitus type II and/or psychiatric condition.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for an addendum medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by his pre-diabetes, diabetes mellitus type II, or service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinea unguium pedis, to include unstable or painful scars is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea pedis (including tinea unguium).

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left leg disorder, entitlement to an initial rating higher than 10 percent for facial acne and dermatitis, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rash on legs, tinea pedis, and onychocryptosis, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions being related to his military service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year is granted because his service-connected eczema causes irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has ordered remand for the following issues: initial rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease, service connection for a skin disorder secondary to herbicide exposure, and TDIU. Additional records are needed from Dr. T and VA treatment records since August 2020. An addendum opinion is also required regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed skin disorders.

The Board has found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of solar keratosis and is remanding for an addendum opinion to determine if this condition is related to service. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the treatment of the Veteran's dermatitis and eczema, as well as clarification on the use of hydroxyzine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to new medical evidence and inconsistencies in the record regarding his dermatomyositis, as well as a need for an addendum opinion on whether his GERD is related to service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 11, 2014 for the award of a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for dermatitis of the bilateral feet is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA disability rating criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service or any period of active duty training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne was denied, while the claim for ischemic (atherosclerotic) heart disease is remanded due to unresolved exposure basis and verification of service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, eczema/sarcoidosis of the skin, a lumbar spine condition, and a pulmonary condition due to outstanding medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea cruris was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to April 15, 2014 and 30 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability of the feet, finding that there is no evidence to support the claim and concluding that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current tinea pedis began in service.

The Veteran's service-connected hyperhidrosis does not qualify for clothing allowances due to the prescribed creams, as they were not intended to treat this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding systemic therapy and hypertension service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dyshidrotic eczema, bilateral hands was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 6, 2019 and a rating in excess of 60 percent from June 6, 2019 onward.