Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. Claims for acid reflux, COPD, bilateral tinea pedis, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, diverticulitis, migraines, back condition, and neck condition were denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee condition and skin disorders of his feet. The issues include a right knee condition, rash on the right foot, and rash on the left foot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and new evidence has been received to support the reopening of his claims. However, the Board finds that there is not a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including insomnia, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and anxiety disorder) was granted due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left hip, and right hip disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown to be present during active duty or within the applicable presumptive period.,A skin disorder of the feet is also not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for chloracne and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not show deep acne or diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, respectively.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability. The issue of service connection for dermatitis is remanded as there was an error in not obtaining a VA examination and opinion prior to the September 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as folliculitis of the scalp, forehead, back and legs, rosacea on the face, and actinic keratoses on the arms, is granted. The Board also remanded for further development regarding upper and lower gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's intertrigo, formerly diagnosed as skin rash and tinea cruris, has been rated at a 10 percent since April 12, 2010. The Board denied an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed. A 30 percent rating for tinea pedis before May 25, 2022 is granted, but a higher rating after that date is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis, finding that the Veteran's condition began during his active duty in Saudi Arabia.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right foot cold injury residuals including onychomycosis, tinea pedis, dystrophic nails, numbness, and arthralgia, and left foot cold injury residuals including onychomycosis, tinea pedis, dystrophic nails, numbness, and arthralgia are all granted. The Veteran's recurrent chest disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot tinea pedis with onychomycosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is remanded due to the presence of nonservice-connected conditions that contribute to his need, and a VA examination is required to assess solely his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and denied service connection for a disability related to a positive PPD test. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is considered a direct service connection, as it was present during his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the issues related to his service-connected conditions, including bruxism (claimed as teeth grinding), migraine headaches, PTSD, lumbar strain, reactive airway disease, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral knees, tinnitus, restless leg syndrome, left elbow chronic epicondylitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, allergic rhinitis, status-post right 4th metacarpal fracture, bilateral shin splints, erectile dysfunction, scars on the bilateral knees and left elbow, right great toe onychomycosis, and acne.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for chloracne have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis and contact dermatitis with angioedema have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.,Specifically, the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's skin conditions have worsened, and the VA examination did not address his use of antibiotics. The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected tinea cruris and hydradenitis suppurativa.