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

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected and aggravated by his diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70% for PTSD has been withdrawn. Issues related to a left thigh skin disability, PFB, bilateral hearing loss, CAD, right knee strain with instability, cortical cataracts, SMC based on loss of use, and TDIU prior to March 9, 2006 are all remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for chemical poisoning, anxiety and PTSD, heart attack and a heart stent, hypertension, prostate cancer, low back injury with posttraumatic degenerative changes, left lower extremity radiculopathy, irritant dermatitis, gout in the right foot, and left shoulder acromioclavicular separation status post-operative. The Veteran is not service-connected for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hand dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his treatment and whether topical treatments are systemic therapies.

The Veteran's PFB with residual scarring is granted a rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, erectile dysfunction, left testicular atrophy, neurodermatitis, and GAD. The decision also granted a higher disability evaluation for GAD from September 27, 2005, and awarded special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, spermatocele, and dermatitis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, including eczema and dermatitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not directly related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a skin disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for kidney stones and a skin disorder other than tinea corporis with folliculitis of the posterior neck and scalp due to inadequate development in previous VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic skin condition during or within one year after service and that it is not related to military service. The Board also found that psoriasis is not among the diseases presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and eczematous dermatitis with acne, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and prurigo nodularis do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's initial rating for dermatitis and scarring is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board remand directives.

The Veteran's tinea corporis/cruris was granted a 30% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to iron deficiency anemia, a skin condition, and lumbar and cervical spine conditions. The Veteran's service connection for Crohn’s disease was previously denied by the Board in September 2019, but he contends that his anemia is secondary to herbicide exposure. The VA examiner will be asked to determine if any diagnosed anemia at least as likely as not (50% probability) is etiologically related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure. For the skin condition and lumbar and cervical spine conditions, the VA examiner will need to provide opinions on whether these conditions are etiologically related to service, including in-service rucksack use.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's dermatitis, urticaria, and pruritus are remanded for further examination to determine the severity of his skin disability during flare-ups.

The Veteran's PFB is currently rated as noncompensable due to the lack of more than topical therapy and less than 5% affected body area.,There is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is not shown to have first manifested in service or be otherwise attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further evaluation due to uncertainty regarding the systemic effects of certain medications used for his service-connected skin conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's skin disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be returned for a VA medical examination and opinion on this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder of the face, previously claimed as pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and acne, is related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability is denied as there is no evidence of an eye condition other than refractive error, which does not constitute a disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim remains remanded for further development.