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

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the issues of increased rating for folliculitis, service connection for partial use left side of body, mental disability (mood swings), hearing loss in the left ear, and degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear, right knee. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to functional loss and pain.,For tinea versicolor, the Veteran was granted a compensable rating prior to July 9, 2013. After this date, his condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's onychomycosis and tinea pedis were granted service connection as they are found to have existed since active service. The numbness of the left side of the face was denied due to lack of in-service treatment.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of increased evaluation for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and initial compensable evaluation for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is related to his service, and he has been granted service connection for this condition.,His acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder) is found to be caused by his service-connected bladder cancer, allowing him secondary service connection.,His eczema is also found to be caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his major depressive disorder, granting him secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, finding it secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and left clavicle disability were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for his adjustment disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's chloracne is related to his service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. The VA will obtain additional records and conduct an examination to determine if the condition was incurred in service or within a year of exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient information for adjudication, specifically the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the current nature and severity of his pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's onychomycosis and tinea pedis (bilateral feet) are now rated at 60% effective November 30, 2020. His lumbar spine disability is rated at 20%. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction in rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae from 60 percent to 10 percent effective December 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for stasis dermatitis and hyperhidrosis on the basis of new and relevant evidence. The claims are remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher level of SMC based on need for aid and attendance, as he is already receiving SMC at the (l) rate.

The Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as dermatitis, is now rated at 30 percent effective December 30, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for service-connected PFB is granted from August 23, 2010 to March 5, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected PFB is denied.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status due to CUE in a March 2015 rating decision was denied. The Board found that the correct facts were before the RO and the statutory or regulatory provisions extant at that time were correctly applied.,The removal of the Veteran's stepchild as a dependent effective May 6, 2015 was proper based on evidence showing no financial support provided after May 5, 2015.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 17, 1975, for the award of service connection for allergic dermatitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae. Remand is required so that the RO may assign initial ratings for these conditions.,Remand is also required to obtain new medical opinions concerning the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and left ankle condition, as well as a review of historical severity of allergic dermatitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

Service connection granted for a skin disorder other than psoriasis and skin cancer, but denied for left knee, right knee, bilateral ear, and sinus disorders. Service connection is also denied for skin cancer and left hip disorder.