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

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis, but the other issues related to ankle, knee, and spine disorders are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his tinnitus, lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, left ankle sprain, and dermatitis. The Board will consider the evidence in light of the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis are related to her service-connected acne.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including gunshot wounds, hearing loss, tinnitus, joint diseases, and disabilities of the elbows, shoulders, wrists, ankles, knees, lumbar spine, cervical spine, esophageal cancer, skin disorders, heart issues, respiratory problems, and memory loss. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling of VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PFB remains January 6, 2017.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has been characterized as dermatophytosis and rated under Diagnostic Code 7806. The Board found that the condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as less than 5 percent of exposed areas are affected by topical therapy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss, precluded him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU based on the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right knee disability (limitation of flexion), and bilateral foot disability have been granted. The appeals for the issues of service connection for eczema and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis status post anterior cruciate ligament repair are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for low back injury, right knee condition, erectile dysfunction, PFB, and depressive disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection may not be presumed for any of these conditions as there is no evidence within one year of separation showing arthritis or other disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right palm dermatitis and fungal infections of the hands, feet, back, buttocks, crotch, and nails. Service connection for malaria was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's knee and foot conditions and his active duty service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various conditions, including eczema, right hip tendonitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, fracture of the right clavicle, and bilateral pes equinus. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for right ankle Achilles strain and a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from February 15, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including reviewing new VA treatment records and scheduling examinations for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for lumbosacral strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis with history of left ankle sprain, hemorrhoids, and tinea pedis have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded due to inadequate previous VA opinion.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining medical nexus opinions and seeking additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected PFB with urticaria, as there are indications that the condition may be causing psychiatric symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right side paralysis is denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eczema with nodular prurigo is granted at 10 percent from May 7, 2009 to October 18, 2016, and at 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's claim for automobile or other conveyance and/or automobile adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 60 percent disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with scar is granted. The Board finds that his condition had increased in severity prior to May 9, 2016 and thus grants the earlier effective date of July 22, 2015.