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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in her Gulf War examination and need for further medical examinations. The issues include undiagnosed illness, folliculitis, Grave's disease, tonsillectomy, and a bilateral foot condition other than pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for atopic dermatitis is being remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives and the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's eczema is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his skin condition during an active phase, including flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema, hypothyroidism, right knee lateral instability, left knee lateral instability, right shin splints, and left shin splints have been granted. The Veteran's depression has also been granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent from June 22, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, seborrheic dermatitis, tinea versicolor, and sebaceous cysts as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status was denied as he did not meet the requirements of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and other service-connected disabilities separately rated at 60% or more.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's skin and knee disabilities. The remand requires additional medical opinions to address whether there is a nexus between the disabilities and service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of exposure and insufficient examination regarding causation and etiology of skin disorders. The Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied. The Board finds that the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7813-7806, as it affects less than 5 percent of his total body area or exposed areas and has not required treatment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for onychomycosis and bilateral tinea pedis have been denied as the conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's skin disability rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions obtained in connection with this case are inadequate, and thus the claims for service connection for a skin disability and hypertension must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD and physical conditions like shoulder and back scarring, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's current pseudofolliculitis is found to be at least as likely as not the result of a disease or injury incurred in active service, warranting service connection for the disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's skin conditions, which may be related to service. The case must be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities, in combination, did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection for a skin disorder, and a new opinion is needed.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the May 2019 VA medical opinion and has therefore remanded the case for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis and remanded the issue of service connection for acne.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and skin disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to his military service. The TDIU claim was deferred due to the remand on the service connection issue.