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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's skin conditions and whether he requires systemic therapy. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records from his dermatologist, and a VA examination is needed to determine the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for dyshidrotic eczema and myelofibrosis is denied. The Board has also found that the Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his myelofibrosis is related to Agent Orange exposure, as it is currently not considered a presumptive disability.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether his currently diagnosed chronic dermatitis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis (previously rated as tinea versicolor) is being remanded for a current examination to assess the severity of his condition and whether any prescribed medications have systemic effects.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to her active duty service.,The Board denied service connection for a back disability, concluding that there is no evidence linking the condition to her active duty service.,The Board granted service connection for psoriasis on a direct basis, finding that the condition began during her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the record, and the Appellant did not respond to a request for her waiver of AOJ consideration. The appeal will be reviewed again with the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and cystic acne have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 3, 2015. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating greater than 60 percent for post-operative cystic acne.

The Veteran's bilateral tinea unguium, onychomycosis, and tinea pedis have been rated as two painful and unstable scars, resulting in a 20 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's psoriasis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating can be granted based on new evidence or changes in regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 15, 2006 for the award of service connection for tinea pedis/manis is dismissed because he did not timely appeal the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his service-connected eczema is denied because the prescribed lotion and cream do not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for rating purposes, and therefore remanded several issues including service connection for lower back disability, bilateral wrist condition, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and PFB. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 28, 2011 for service connection for acne because no claim of service connection for acne was received prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and skin disability for further development to determine their relationship with service-connected conditions, including potential non-compliance with medication.

The claims for service connection for psoriasis, left knee degenerative joint disease, arthritis, right knee disability, diabetes, and hypertension have all been denied as the evidence does not show a direct relationship to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left arm disorder, hemorrhoids, skin disorder (dermatitis), and lumbar cyst due to incomplete records and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, fatigue secondary to OSA, and several other conditions have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability in some of these cases.,Service connection for right elbow condition, left elbow condition, left hip condition (secondary to trochanteric bursitis), and left knee condition (secondary to patellofemoral syndrome) has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 29, 2013, for the grant of service connection of migraine headaches has been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for her migraines.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected migraine headaches remains denied as there are no additional symptoms or residuals that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of viral meningitis has been denied due to lack of evidence of a present disability and insufficient evidence linking any in-service incident to current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left hand disability (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are both pending, with the issues remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left elbow injury (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral enthesopathy (claimed as shin pain) is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of polyuria is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of her lumbar spine disability, skin condition (claimed as tinea pedis and toenail fungus), and skin condition (claimed as acne) are all pending and have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to re-enter the workforce and work in any substantially gainful capacity, considering his level of education, prior work experience, and training.