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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for his acne keloidalis with folliculitis of the occipital scalp, pseudofolliculitis barbae, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches has been reopened and is being remanded. The claims for PFB, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral foot tinea pedis are also being remanded.

The Veteran's skin condition, tinea versicolor, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, initial compensable rating for eczema prior to March 29, 2018, and higher initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with separate 10 percent ratings assigned for radiculopathy of both the right and left lower extremities are remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of increased ratings for psoriatic scalp dermatitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in August 2019. The Veteran was sent multiple correspondences regarding the VA examinations, but did not contact VA about them.

The Veteran's cystic acne has been rated at 30 percent since October 2011. The Board found that the condition required near-constant systemic treatment with doxycycline, and granted a rating of 60 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral cellulitis of the lower extremities and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral eczema of the hands are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied an initial compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis was also rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating.,For degenerative joint disease of the left first metacarpal, the Veteran is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,Regarding hypertension, the Veteran does not have service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected dyshidrotic eczema. The issues of TDIU and nonservice-connected pension are remanded.

Service connection is granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae. Service connection is denied for hemorrhoids, disorder related to an in-service PPD test, and right ankle disorder. The claim for TBI remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and a compensable rating for tinea pedis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of in-service exposure to asbestos or herbicide agents, and concluded that the current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient clarification of the examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran’s skin conditions and their relation to his military service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a skin condition, which includes scabies infestation, dermatitis, and a groin rash.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anemia, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as they were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on various service connection claims have been withdrawn.,All issues of increased ratings and TDIU have also been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disorder, psoriasis, did not begin during his active service and is not related to any in-service injury or event. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's psoriasis was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support finding that his low back disability began during active service or was otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. His alopecia areata and Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were also evaluated, with no compensable ratings assigned due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected fungal infections (bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis) have not resulted in a compensable rating as the condition has affected less than 5% of his entire body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy is required.

The Veteran's service-connected nummular eczema (claimed as lichen planus) warrants a higher rating than the noncompensable evaluation currently assigned. The Board finds that the information elicited during the April 2017 VA Skin examination is insufficient for making a determination on the Veteran’s increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions, has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 17, 2009, to January 10, 2013. The Board granted the TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and effective dates related to his service-connected conditions was granted. Service connection for migraine headaches, hypertension, PTSD, folliculitis barbae, small sliding hiatal hernia with aphthous ulcers (claimed as GERD/stomach pains), and left hip strain with osteoarthritis were all established or maintained. Effective dates were set based on the date of claim or entitlement determination.