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

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from February 9, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and residuals of prostate cancer are granted as presumptively related to his service. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae (claimed as skin rash on face) is denied, but he is assigned a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of chloracne and concluded that the Veteran does not have a disability due to exposure to herbicides, fuel, paint, lead, PCBs, or isocyanates. Other claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for blood disorders, skin disorders, and nerve damage have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service exposure or service.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the evaluation for major depressive disorder and the reduction of pseudofolliculitis barbae. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, a heart disorder, a skin disorder (tinea infection), vertigo, and headaches as they are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin condition, diagnosed as dyshidrotic eczema, began during his active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has not addressed whether the Veteran's current skin conditions are related to service, specifically lithium battery exposure and cellulitis in 1996. The case is being remanded for a VA clinician to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported direct service connection for most of the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, headaches, and allergies. The claims for bowel condition, gastrointestinal condition, hepatitis C in remission, sinusitis, and skin disability are all remanded.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's facial scar due to PFB was granted an initial 10% rating effective August 5, 2011. The Veteran's painful scars were denied a higher than 20% rating prior to March 29, 2019 and remanded for further review.,The Veteran's seizure disorder is being reviewed as part of the appeal process. A separate rating for peripheral neuropathy or other neurological disorder due to burn scars is also pending.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for various service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection but rather about the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as Crohn's disease) is remanded.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hearing loss is granted. Service connection for a skin disorder and prostate disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's herpes simplex virus II and atopic dermatitis were found to meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating from December 21, 2011 to February 18, 2016.

The Veteran's PFB was granted a 60 percent rating effective May 7, 2021. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's kidney disease claim has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim.,Service connection for COPD, heart disease, ED, tinea pedis (toe fungus), right leg disability, and left leg disability have all been denied due to lack of in-service exposure or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has identified new evidence since the March 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and requests that the Veteran confirm his desire for a hearing. The appeal is being remanded to allow for this review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including chloracne of the feet, hands, legs, and body, as due to herbicide exposure. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking the claimed condition to active service.