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

The Veteran's right side TMJ was granted service connection, while his skin disability (dermatosis) from October 22, 2015 was denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left great toenail onychomycosis and folliculitis are granted service connection. The rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied, but the claim will be remanded to obtain additional examination opinions regarding cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a left knee disability. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), chloracne, and guttate psoriasis are remanded. Additionally, the issue of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current diagnosis to service. For postoperative tonsillitis and pharyngitis, a 10 percent rating is granted. A rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a fracture of the right thumb with traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion is denied. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for gastritis is denied. An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for an unspecified anxiety disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis and a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to incomplete development of records, including Social Security Administration records and scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis was granted a 60% rating from February 14, 2017 to October 31, 2017. The issue of service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury has been reopened, but the claim remains denied. The bilateral foot disability and PFB have both been denied. The laceration of left ankle and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims are pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was assigned a 10 percent evaluation based on topical therapy. The Board found that the condition did not warrant an increase in rating as it did not meet criteria for higher evaluations under either old or new regulations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted. Service connection for a bilateral knee condition, migraines, right eye injury, and left shoulder condition are denied. Service connection for a right shoulder condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for eczema prior to September 25, 2018 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is remanded due to the possibility that his symptoms have worsened since his last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's occupational history and functional impact of his service-connected conditions. Additional evidence is needed, including an addendum medical opinion on the effects of PTSD on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rehabilitation plan and vocational rehabilitation services need to be reviewed due to her request for a change in her long-term goal from obtaining an engineering degree to pursuing a medical doctorate. The discontinuance of her VR&E services was also challenged, and both issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), psoriasis, and thyroid disorder (claimed as Grave’s Disease) due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions. The appeals are being remanded for addendum opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His lumbar strain with degenerative changes and pseudofolliculitis barbae were also evaluated, but no new issues or appeals were raised.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of his lay statements and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for preexisting acne and acne scarring, finding that the Veteran's condition was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chloracne is granted due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The skin disabilities other than chloracne are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for acne vulgaris with residual scarring, finding that the Veteran's current skin issues are related to his active duty service.

The Board's decision is vacated due to the Veteran electing consideration under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) for some of the issues, which was not properly considered before the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for dermatitis and service connection for a psychiatric disability has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal prior to the Board making a decision.