Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The VA examiner found that the range of motion was within normal limits and did not result in functional loss.,Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) affects less than 5% of his total body area and exposed areas, requiring no topical corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. The Veteran's PFB does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, pseudofolliculitis barbae, radiculopathy, right lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, right elbow fracture postoperative, and tinnitus, have resulted in the Veteran being unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 25, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection in a previous rating decision. The remaining issues are denied or remanded.

The Veteran's skin condition, including tinea pedis, dyshidrotic eczema, onychomycosis, and dermatitis, had its onset in service. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his request for a DRO hearing was not timely filed, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's skin disability, including eczema and polymorphic light eruption, is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine its etiology. The issue of service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's psoriasis is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, and a higher rating for this condition is denied.,For his left knee disability prior to March 31, 2021, he was granted a 10 percent rating based on painful motion. Since then, he has been assigned a 20 percent rating due to limitation of flexion. A higher rating for the left knee disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's skin condition claim due to insufficient consideration of his testimony and NOD statements in a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service, but there is insufficient evidence or adequate opinion regarding the specific exposure basis.

The Veteran's tinea corporis was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but denied a higher rating. The joint pain issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and ratings, effective from the date of the July 2016 phone call.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of psoriasis, hepatitis B and C, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inextricability of his increased rating claims for service-connected conditions. The VA will consider both issues together as they may affect each other.

The Veteran's eczema is rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 30, 2020 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for restoring a 60 percent rating for psoriasis, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, toenail onychomycosis, athlete's foot, rashes on crotch, chloracne, diabetes mellitus type II, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower and right lower extremity neuropathies, and a left-hand condition. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses for these conditions or any nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to obtain all VA and private medical records, including those from 1973 onwards. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to noise exposure in service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as his dry eyes and skin disability (claimed as eczema) are remanded for further development. Hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his skin disability was denied as the evidence did not show that more than 40 percent of his body or exposed areas were affected, and he had not received systemic therapy.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is granted. The cases of a recurrent skin disability (psoriasis) and an arm disability (fracture residuals) are remanded, as well as the initial ratings for prostate cancer residuals and a prostatectomy scar.