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

The Board has remanded three issues: 1) service connection for a left shoulder disability, 2) an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected narcolepsy, and 3) an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected eczema. The hearing testimony indicated that the Veteran's conditions have worsened since the last evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to result in permanent disability, and therefore the criteria for a permanent and total rating under VA regulations are not met.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis is granted as incurred during service.,Right deltoid scars and right lower leg disability are remanded for further development.,A left knee disability is remanded for further development.,Tinea versicolor of the posterior thorax remains remanded for further development.,Right knee Osgood-Schlatter disease is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea pedis and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on percentage of areas affected or treatment, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations, missing VA treatment records, and new evidence not being considered.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis has affected less than 5 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, requiring no more than topical therapy throughout the appeal period. The claim for a compensable rating is denied.,The claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD are remanded due to new evidence not having been considered in the most recent decision.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent.

An increased rating of 60 percent for a skin disorder, folliculitis, is granted as of April 4, 2016.,A rating of 10 percent for scarring alopecia is granted from October 19, 2017 to January 21, 2020. A rating of 20 percent is granted since January 22, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of left ankle sprain, sleep apnea, left hand pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and pseudofolliculitis barbae/tinea versicolor have all been denied as there is no current diagnosis or service connection established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, and for compensable evaluations for his right index finger disability and tinea pedis are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence related to the stressors claimed for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his current symptoms. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for psoriasis remains under review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's scalp infection is related to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for cellulitis of the right foot and tinea pedis is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for esophageal disorder secondary to his service-connected helicobacter pylori infection, but remands for further examination regarding intermittent memory loss, liver disorder (claimed as fatty liver), and neurological symptoms (claimed as bilateral hand numbness).

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's skin disabilities, finding that they were not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's dermatitis and obstructive sleep apnea are both granted, with the dermatitis being considered a continuation of a condition noted in service. The eye disability other than the right cornea is denied.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 30 percent rating for PFB from February 1, 2016 is granted. The initial 30 percent rating was assigned in August 2015 and the reduction to noncompensable was based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a left foot disability to include plantar fasciitis and tinea pedis, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of COPD or any other respiratory condition, and that the Veteran did not have an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the evidence, including lack of recent VA examinations and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA Form 21-8940 upon remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea, hernia inguinal as secondary to external hemorrhoids with pruritus ani, and chronic sinusitis are being remanded.,Special monthly compensation based on loss of use is granted effective October 7, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea pedis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.