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

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a skin disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and polymyositis due to lack of current evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an adjustment disorder as secondary to psoriasis has been granted with a July 2, 2018 effective date. However, the claims for headaches, cervical spine disability, low back disability, and joint pain remain pending and are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis was denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim for a cervical spine condition is remanded as the VA examination did not provide an adequate rationale regarding the relationship between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis, bilateral feet is dismissed. The claim to reopen a back disability is denied as no new and material evidence has been received. Service connection for sinusitis (claimed as congestion) is granted. The claims for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea versicolor is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's skin condition is related to his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The examiner must consider all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's statements and service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations or telehealth interviews to obtain this information.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psoriasis is remanded due to new evidence submitted after the initial denial. The issues regarding left and right foot disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's rating for his service-connected bilateral hyperkeratinization and eczema of the feet was reduced from 60% to noncompensable effective October 1, 2019. The criteria for a compensable rating are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disorders, including PTSD, IBS, migraines, left knee disorder, and bilateral fibrocystic breast disease, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the failure to report for VA examinations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining service treatment records and medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hand dermatitis was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to January 25, 2015. From January 25, 2015 to May 30, 2019, he received a 10% evaluation based on intermittent systemic therapy. Since then, his condition has not warranted any higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, stasis dermatitis, and bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet as there was no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), nor did any medical opinion support a connection to the Veteran's March 1977 motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The heart disability claim is denied. The claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the cellulitis and BCC of the left upper lip claims are remanded.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20% prior to May 14, 2021 and at 30% from May 14, 2021. The skin disability is rated at 30%. The effective dates for increased ratings are granted.,The claims for an earlier effective date for the increased ratings of RUE and LUE have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to the Veteran's skin disability prior to October 16, 2012. The RO is directed to obtain relevant private treatment records and provide a VA examination to assess the extent of any disfigurement, flare-ups, systemic therapy use, and scars.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims. The effective date of a 10 percent rating for scars associated with cystic acne face and neck is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for consideration of new evidence associated with his claims file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and increased disability ratings for her right knee DJD and lumbar spine anterolisthesis with DDD.