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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding seborrheic dermatitis and its relation to service, particularly combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing VA and private treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for nummular eczema and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Veteran was granted a higher evaluation of 20 percent for his left lower extremity radiculopathy beginning on November 14, 2016.

Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and thoracolumbar spine disability (back disability) are remanded.

The Veteran's eczema is now rated at 30% from December 2, 2019.,For the period from March 31, 2011 to December 1, 2019, her eczema was not rated higher than 0%

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this matter.

The Board has dismissed appeals regarding PTSD, acne with facial scarring, and painful scars of the face. The lung disorder appeal is remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee strain, left ankle sprain, tinea pedis, hearing loss, and dry eye syndrome. The AOJ must consider new evidence before making a decision.

The Veteran's dermatitis is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA guidelines. The condition affects less than 5% of his total body area and no more than 40% of exposed areas.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for vitiligo, sleep apnea, hypertension, bilateral plantar fasciitis, TMJ syndrome, right forearm laceration scar, Bechet's disease with intermittent flares of iritis, acne, mouth ulcers, and joint pain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's initial evaluations for left ring finger fracture and left little finger fracture are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability. The skin condition (previously characterized as chloracne) is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability, or skin condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis because no new and material evidence was submitted to support the claim.

The Veteran's claim for tinea pedis was granted with an effective date of June 17, 2010.,Effective from April 10, 2007, the Veteran is entitled to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity.,The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,An effective date of March 13, 2015, was granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity.,An effective date of March 13, 2015, was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bladder dysfunction with renal involvement causing voiding dysfunction is dismissed.

The Veteran's skin condition, including seborrheic dermatitis and onychomycosis, is not service-connected. The increased rating claims for left lumbar radiculopathy and PTSD are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis involving the face and scalp has involved at least 5 percent but less than 20 percent of the exposed area affected and less than 5 percent of the entire body, and has not required systemic therapy for treatment. Therefore, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating for eczema from 30 percent to noncompensable was improper and has ordered restoration of the prior 30 percent rating. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his scar and eczema are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's dermatitis (claimed as a full body rash) is not related to his military service. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not caused by or the result of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including nummular eczema, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issue of secondary service connection for his skin disorder due to PTSD remains unresolved.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, tinnitus, refractive error (claimed as bilateral eye disorder), and dermatitis due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected skin disorder, including entitlement to an initial compensable rating and service connection for keloid scarring. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence regarding his bilateral ingrown toenails and obstructive sleep apnea.