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

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, GERD, dermatitis, and bilateral elbow bursitis are being remanded due to the need for further development. The AOJ must review the additional evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and reopening claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's skin disability and to determine if he had service within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his skin disorder from November 25, 2009 to July 3, 2013. The appeal is denied for any rating in excess of 10 percent for the period from July 3, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar fibromyositis with IVDS is granted a 60 percent rating effective November 13, 2015. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty and are related to his service.

The Veteran's left knee strain is granted service connection, while his pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for status post right knee replacement, a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the right tibia, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for dyshidrotic eczema due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinea of the scalp/scalp discoloration based on a final October 2005 rating decision, finding no clear and unmistakable error. The appeal was dismissed as there was not enough evidence to overturn the previous determination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, finding that it did not begin in service and is unrelated to any in-service event or injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's tinea pedis. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability from the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the service-connected left ankle disability, but has remanded the issue of an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for eczema due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 27, 2015 did not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is now rated at 40% effective September 10, 2020. Other conditions have been denied or remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including blepharitis of both eyes, seborrheic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted an initial rating of 30 percent effective April 8, 2009. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's tinea pedis is not rated as compensable, with the condition affecting less than 5% of his total body area and no exposed areas. The Board has remanded for further development regarding service connection for bilateral calluses of the metatarsal heads.,Service connection for bilateral calluses of the metatarsal heads is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinion addressing their etiology.

The Veteran's skin condition, including dermatitis and eczema, has been rated at 60 percent since May 18, 2021. The rating is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the revised criteria of Diagnostic Code 7806.