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

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, thoracolumbar strain, and eczema due to lack of continuous pursuit of her claims within one year of the July 2015 denial.

Service connection for PTSD due to MST has been granted.,Service connection for OSA was denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis, but the issues of service connection for chest pain and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected allergic contact dermatitis is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination and consideration of new criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed part-time and earns income above the poverty threshold for one person.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and remanded other claims due to insufficient evidence. The remaining issues are also remanded as new VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his claims for chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, bilateral hearing loss, soft tissue sarcoma, kidney cancer, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's combined rating is 50%, and he was last employed as a dishwasher in April 2017. He cannot perform jobs that require standing or walking for long periods of time due to his toe disabilities, which cause pain.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae were granted a 60 percent disability rating. The initial 10 percent disability rating for acne prior to September 16, 2021 was granted. From September 16, 2021 onwards, the Veteran's acne with scarring is rated at 30 percent. The left ankle tendonitis and anterior talofibular ligament tear and rupture peroneus brevis are denied a higher rating than 10 percent. The mallet finger and closed avulsion fraction of the middle (long) finger of the right hand are also denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS is dismissed. A 50 percent rating, but no more, is granted for migraine headaches. Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus and denied for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB). The issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, including psoriasis of the scalp, and for bilateral hearing loss. The appellant's current skin condition is not related to his in-service bug bites or reported itchy scalp during service. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for PFB was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes, as his condition affected less than five percent of his total body and exposed areas without requiring systemic therapy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were granted service connection as they became manifest within one year of his separation from active duty. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded due to the need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for her service-connected tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis was denied. The initial rating of 10 percent prior to October 16, 2012 is maintained, while the initial rating of 60 percent beginning October 16, 2012 remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is being remanded due to inadequate examination and missing treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including mild spongiotic dermatitis and cutaneous lupus erythematosus, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 1, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, psoriasis, and urticaria as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between these conditions and his military service.

Service connection for facial irritation due to shaving is granted. Service connection for dental problems is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's skin disorder, characterized by actinic keratosis and eczema, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it did not cover more than 40% of his entire body or exposed areas, nor did it require constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids.