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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 11, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claims for skin disabilities are remanded as the VA examiner did not address the in-service treatment records showing skin conditions during service.,The Veteran's heart disability claim is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on direct causation due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of lay statements regarding the onset of the Veteran's skin condition during service and new evidence submitted since November 2020. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, review all relevant medical evidence, and provide an addendum opinion considering these factors.

The Veteran's onychomycosis of the left and right hands were granted service connection as they began during active service.,Service connection was also granted for a low back disability, but the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for psoriasis and left hip disability due to additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. A.M. and B. Hill Orthopedic Surgery Center.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis was denied as there were no current or historical diagnoses of the condition.,A 50 percent rating, but no higher, prior to March 20, 2017, for PTSD was granted. The Veteran's symptoms since March 20, 2017 did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis are denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against finding these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service. Bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded as it involves noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including tinea pedis, tinea manus, and tinea cruris, are rated at a 10 percent disability level since October 23, 2020. The conditions affect between 5 and 20 percent of the Veteran's total body area.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, left knee issues, PTSD, TMJ, tinea versicolor, hemorrhoids, GERD, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin condition and a heart condition due to potential exposure to Agent Orange. Additional development is needed, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's conceded exposure to herbicides.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for acne and granted it. The case of service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding noise exposure in-service. Service connection for hearing loss and lumbar spine disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, acne with residual scarring, sleep apnea, tension headaches, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, right shoulder tendinitis, lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis, chronic right ankle strain, bilateral pes planus, right great toe injury, hypertension, left and right knee instability, and traumatic brain injury, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since June 11, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for primary sclerosing cholangitis with cirrhosis status post liver transplant prior to June 25, 2016 was denied. The reduction from 100% to 30% for the service-connected status post liver transplant was found to be improper and restored the Veteran's rating to 100%. Service connection was granted for osteoporosis, hypertension, steroid acne, and periodontal disease secondary to medications required for service-connected status post liver transplant.

The Veteran's Pseudofolliculitis Barbae was denied an increased rating higher than 30 percent as of August 10, 2018. The disability affects less than 20% of the entire body and exposed areas.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were not manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks prior to June 17, 2019. As such, a compensable rating for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's acne was at worst superficial and did not cover an area of at least 144 square inches or involve underlying soft tissue damage. Therefore, a compensable disability rating for the acne is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the VA examiner not addressing the April 2008 VA examiner's opinion regarding the cause of his neurological symptoms.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) should be remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's PFB was rated based on the severity of his symptoms and treatment. Prior to October 7, 2019, he received a non-compensable rating; from January 22, 2015 to October 6, 2019, he received a 10 percent rating; since October 7, 2019, he received a 30 percent rating. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's skin disorder, dermatitis, is granted service connection. The Board has also remanded the claim for bilateral upper extremity disorders due to insufficient evidence.