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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing STRs and outstanding VA medical records. The Veteran's conditions include left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, a lumbar spine disability, and dermatitis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for onychomycosis and tinea pedis of the bilateral feet was denied, as his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the use of topical corticosteroids constitutes a 'systemic therapy' for the Veteran's eczema. The Veteran must provide updated medical records and undergo a VA examination to address this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease and tinnitus, as secondary to service-connected conditions. Additional opinions are needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's right hip disability and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for further examination and analysis.,Service connection for a right hip disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's skin disorder is rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2016 to August 11, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating or service connection for GERD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unemployable, as he retired due to non-service-connected conditions and his physical limitations are not severe enough to prevent substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema and dermatofibroma, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability pattern or undiagnosed illness related to active duty. The skin conditions are considered common and have a clear etiology.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to service connection and other claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep disorder and skin condition. The AOJ is also instructed to adjudicate the claim of service connection for skin disorder other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, to include eczema and dermatitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted. Claims for other conditions were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral conjunctivitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted.,For the period from January 21, 2016 to October 23, 2017, the Veteran's dermatitis was rated at 60 percent, but no further increase in rating is granted.,From October 24, 2017, the Veteran's dermatitis does not warrant a disability rating higher than 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension (also claimed as a heart disability) and chloracne has been granted. Hypertension is related to his military service, while chloracne is presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of PFB, but found that no compensable disability rating was warranted prior to May 31, 2017. Effective May 31, 2017, a 10 percent disability rating was granted for painful scars due to PFB.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the appeal period prior to October 16, 2012. The Veteran needs to provide information about her private treatment records and a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of her skin disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated clinical records and an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the severity of his tinea pedis disability.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted a 20 percent rating, effective January 8, 2019. The Veteran's chloracne is granted a 10 percent rating, effective January 29, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board also denied his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for folliculitis, as the medical evidence did not show more than 40 percent of his total body area affected by the condition.,The Veteran's folliculitis symptoms were stable and required topical treatment primarily when needed.