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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorder and nerve disorders. The Veteran's skin disorder is not presumed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange, and there is no direct evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has found that the VA opinions relied upon in the July 2021 rating decision were inadequate to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a fungal infection of the feet and atopic dermatitis of the hands. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities required care and assistance on a regular basis to dress herself, prepare meals, keep herself clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect her from the hazards or dangers inherent in her daily environment. As such, she is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's psoriasis form dermatitis is rated at 10 percent, the maximum allowed under current regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee meniscotomy and limitation of flexion are both rated at their maximum allowable ratings (10% and 30%, respectively). There is no basis for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him disabled to the extent that he requires regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance from August 7, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for skin conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, eczema, low back/tailbone disability, and headaches due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address pre-service conditions.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and hemochromatosis are remanded for additional development to determine their etiology, including whether they are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for skin disabilities, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA needs to obtain addendum medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and heart condition, both related to herbicide exposure. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to the conceded herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo medical evaluations for all claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's PFB.

The Veteran's application for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective August 1, 2016. The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to this date.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal the issues of service connection for folliculitis, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been denied, with the exception of a low back disability which has been granted. The remaining issues related to right thumb, index finger, great toe and foot condition, and dermatitis were not supported by evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disabilities, including seborrheic dermatitis, squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and nodular basal cell carcinoma, are etiologically related to service exposure to sunburn and blisters in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected skin rash and sinus condition are being remanded due to the inadequacy of recent VA examination reports.

The Veteran's skin disability, including sebaceous cysts and pyoderma gangrenosum, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected acne with scarring.

The Veteran's folliculitis barbae also claimed as pseudofolliculitis was found to have manifested during service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection claims due to a withdrawal of appeal by his authorized representative.