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

The Board has remanded the claims for dermatitis, bilateral pes planus, and sinusitis due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a low back disorder and denied reopening of the claim for an undiagnosed sleep disorder. The appeal was also dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc displacement, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for chloracne before the decision was made. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and denied entitlement to a compensable rating for dermatitis. The Veteran's current conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's initial rating for an umbilical scar has been granted at a 10 percent level, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's PFB is not rated higher than 0 percent.,The Board remanded the issues related to service connection and increased ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability, moderate hemorrhoids, a compensable foreskin laceration scar, or left great toe onychomycosis. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for folliculitis (now characterized as acne), but the claim for service connection and increased ratings for benign prostate hypertrophy were denied.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches, GERD, dermatitis or eczema of the elbows, left knee disability, and right thumb disability as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a skin condition (variously diagnosed as acne and folliculitis) have been granted. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between the conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory condition, specifically obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and a skin condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals from an inner ear infection, including facial droop. The evidence shows no current disability related to this condition.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not shown during service and is not considered secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) due to the Veteran's physical limitations and his assertions that his nursing home facility does not ensure he is able to make his VA appointments.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim for chloracne remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PFB. Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection was not established for PTSD or schizophrenia due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) as his employment with the United States Postal Service was considered to be in a protected environment and he earned more than marginal income.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB has been reopened, and his asthma has been granted. His abdominal scars, sinusitis, right inguinal hernia, and left inguinal hernia have also been granted increased ratings.,However, the issues of service connection for PFB and increased ratings for chronic asthma, sinusitis, right inguinal hernia, and left inguinal hernia are being remanded due to further development needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear severity of the Veteran's eczema and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PFB and related facial scars are granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including for service connection claims related to bilateral foot conditions, bilateral ankle conditions, pseudofolliculitis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran was only service-connected for acne at a 10% rating, and the appellant is not entitled to reoccurring monthly payments of $748 in accrued benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, specifically failing to schedule a VA examination as requested in March 2020. The Veteran's skin conditions (onychomycosis and tinea pedis) are being reviewed for service connection.