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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected.,The Veteran's allergies, skin disorder (dermatitis and seborrheic keratosis), hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, digestive disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 13, 2012. The Board denied a higher rating as the condition does not affect more than 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the remand directives and has therefore ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disabilities, specifically seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. The remand also includes obtaining VA treatment records from August 2020 to present.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle disability and posttraumatic headaches, have led to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered further development of the employment history and requested information from SSA.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's skin condition, specifically tinea cruris and bilateral athlete’s foot, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating schedules.

The Veteran's service-connected PFB did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there were no visible characteristic lesions or need for oral or topical medication during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disorder, and sleep apnea, were not found to be service-connected. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema from April 14, 2014 to April 27, 2017 is granted at a 30% rating. The appeal is granted in part.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's left eye disorder is denied as not related to service or a current disability. Other issues such as eczema, respiratory disorders, psychiatric conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disorders are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for a left eyebrow residual scar with an initial disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issues of service connection for a skin disability, sleep apnea, kidney cancer, and enlarged prostate are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied. The lumbar spine disability has been granted a rating prior to September 14, 2020 and denied thereafter.

Service connection for low back disorder (degenerative arthritis of the spine) is granted.,Service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder are denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for right ankle strain, finding that the appellant's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.,The Board also denied an increased rating for dyshidrotic eczema of the right foot with recurrent ulcerations, as the evidence did not show more than moderate disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to appear for a VA examination and because the opinions rendered in previous examinations were flawed. The Veteran's skin disabilities are being reviewed again by a dermatologist.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of higher initial ratings for vesicular tinea pedis, service connection for a back disability, right lower extremity neuropathy (claimed as secondary to low back disability), left lower extremity neuropathy (claimed as secondary to low back disability), and a headache disability. The Board has specifically requested additional VA examinations and opinions regarding the progression of the Veteran's skin condition, the etiology of his back disability and associated neuropathy in his lower extremities, and the cause or aggravation of his headache disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's Alzheimer’s disease is not related to service and denied his claim.,The Board also found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure and denied his claim for this condition.,For the remaining conditions, including bilateral upper and lower diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, kidney condition, coronary artery disease, Bell's Palsy, and prostate cancer, additional development is required as no medical nexus opinions have been provided.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, finding that his current skin condition is related to his in-service symptoms and treatment.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, effective May 19, 2010. The combined evaluation for his service-connected disabilities (Pseudofolliculitis, Cardiomegaly, PTSD, and Right Shoulder Disability) was granted at 60 percent from April 16, 2009 to August 12, 2009.