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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, a skin condition including eczema on the inside of the knees, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective October 15, 2018. The SMC based on housebound status claim is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for chloracne, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left hand arthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), enlarged prostate, headaches, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is manifested by pain and extreme tenderness of the heels and arches during periods of prolonged standing and walking, which more closely approximates a 10 percent evaluation.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema bilaterally of the shins is denied. The Veteran's eczema affects less than 5% of his total body area with topical therapy required during the past year.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left eye scar, effective from January 14, 2020. The skin condition claim was denied as there is no evidence of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran requested a personal hearing and informal conference regarding his service connection claims. The Board has not scheduled these hearings, so the case is being remanded to do so.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hives and a rating in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and tinea versicolor due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions, as well as incomplete examination reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the withholding of compensation benefits to recoup Special Separation Benefits (SSB) in the amount of $40,330.57 was proper.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar I disorder and cyclothymic disorder) alone supports a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability, combined with other disabilities rated at least 60 percent.

The Veteran's chronic blisters of the feet are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, and his residuals of broken rib, right side are also rated at a 20 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an eye condition and a skin condition of the face, including facial burns and dermatitis, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis, contact dermatitis with angioedema, and scars from fatty tissue excision. However, an earlier effective date of January 9, 2009 was granted for the 40 percent rating for the lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation has been rated at 60 percent since April 27, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for nummular eczema, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin condition (tinea cruris, tinea unguium) due to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and credible assertions of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 30 percent effective September 5, 2018. The rating for tinea versicolor remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for psoriasis prior to November 10, 2020, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's folliculitis and PTSD are granted, while her mouth sores claim is denied. The Veteran's PTSD rating prior to September 26, 2016, remains at 50 percent.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea corporis of the scalp and body, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.