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

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of discontinuation of VR&E benefits and her request for retroactive induction, finding that it was not reasonably feasible to achieve a vocational goal given her disabilities and employment history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his active duty service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance and/or due to being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for psoriasis remains at 30 percent, and the claim is still pending. The Board found that his psoriasis does not meet criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new rating criteria.,For viral hepatitis, the evidence did not show daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia with weight loss or hepatomegaly requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication, or incapacitating episodes lasting at least two weeks. Therefore, the current 10 percent rating is maintained.

The Veteran's dermatitis was rated as noncompensable due to the lack of more than topical therapy and intermittent systemic therapy, with less than 5% affected body area.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's medications and their systemic effects.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 18, 2016 and a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae are denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities produced total occupational impairment starting from January 1, 2013. The effective date for the TDIU is set at January 1, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current skin conditions and his military service.

Service connection is granted for tinea pedis. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the left and right feet, arthritis of the hands, and hypertension.,The Veteran's diagnosed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate previous examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied a compensable rating for chloracne including benign skin neoplasms. Bilateral hearing loss is considered established due to in-service noise exposure, while the claim for chloracne was not supported by sufficient evidence of deep acne or disfigurement.

The Veteran's asthma, eczema, migraine headaches and right shoulder tendonitis are remanded for further examination. The service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure. The claim for eczema remains pending as the VA examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with folliculitis since February 19, 2021, is denied. A 60 percent disability rating has been granted from March 22, 2019, to February 18, 2021.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.,The appeals concerning initial increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 17, 2020.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated under the skin condition criteria, while his right and left knee disabilities are rated based on limitation of extension.,The Board has found that remand is necessary for an adequate VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis is rated at 60 percent from May 21, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU from May 13, 2003 to July 23, 2007.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new service personnel records showing multiple periods of active duty for training (ANACDUTRA). The claims will be reviewed with consideration of these additional periods.