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

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide opinions regarding whether any current thyroid disability (Graves' disease) or skin disability (eczema and/or lichen simplex chronicus) is related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for early compartment regional pain syndrome, tension headaches, and seborrheic dermatitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been granted an increased initial rating of 30 percent.,Service connection for undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic dermatitis, sleep disorder, heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder have all been granted due to service in the Persian Gulf.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and fibromyalgia appeals were withdrawn.,A tumor of the right pelvic bone, blurred vision, neuropathy (including as secondary to a tumor of the right pelvic bone), and vertigo issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's cataracts were denied as the evidence did not show that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The chloracne was granted as it became manifest within one year of his separation from service and is presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Asbestosis and COPD were both denied as there was no evidence showing that the conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for higher ratings for psoriasis, both prior to and since August 12, 2020, due to insufficient medical opinion regarding systemic therapy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for hyperlipidemia, a skin disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, or bilateral nuclear cataracts.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral tinea pedis and tinea unguium have been granted. The right knee disability claim is remanded for further action.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period prior to July 16, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions, including right knee chondromalacia, left knee Palligrini-Stieda's disease with chondromalacia, seborrheic dermatitis, bilateral pes planus, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), neck or cervical spine disability, and low back or thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was not considered in the October 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and that a remand is necessary to consider this new evidence before making a decision on the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain relevant private treatment records for acne. The Veteran is required to provide permission for VA to retrieve these records, and two attempts should be made.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including osteoarthritis of both knees and several other health issues. The decision was made due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) due to inadequate examination and failure to address flare-ups and medication use.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was rated at 10 percent since November 20, 2019. The Board found that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on body coverage or treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected sebopsoriasis and spongiotic dermatitis with eosinophils, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's skin condition, including dermatitis and erythema intertrigo, affects more than 5 percent of his body area. The VA examiner found that the Veteran requires systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs for his skin disability.

The Veteran's skin disability, including tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, specifically obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied. The claims for folliculitis and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disorders, including whether they are related to service or herbicide exposure.