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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including Chloracne, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, further examination is needed to determine if his chloracne is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions. The Veteran is now entitled to a determination on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding the percentage of affected skin areas during the period from May 2007 to August 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability, headache disability, PFB, bilateral pes planus, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinea pedis, allergic rhinosinusitis, back disorder, bilateral leg disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disorder (including a rash on the legs and buttocks), and hypertension due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is granted as service connection due to a finding of reasonable doubt in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded due to the need to verify stressors and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to asbestos and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for polycythemia vera is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, chronic headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, L4-5 degenerative anterolisthesis, and L1 compression fracture residuals are granted as service connected. The Veteran's sinus disability (including sinusitis) and folliculitis are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's psoriasis was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during a period of active duty. However, the Veteran's hypertension was denied service connection as there was no evidence that it was caused by an injury or aggravated during periods of active duty for training.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for PFB and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle disability prior to April 1, 2020 are both denied.

The Veteran is currently employed in a suitable, stable government position and has overcome any impairment of employment to which his service-connected disabilities have substantially contributed. Therefore, he does not meet the requirements for VR&E benefits to obtain a Master's degree in Interior Design or Construction Management.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine if there is a nexus between in-service incidents and current disabilities, including right shoulder, knee, fibromyalgia, undiagnosed pain of the right hand, and dermatitis.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity skin and nerve disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not shown as chronic in service or related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding the current severity of the pseudofolliculitis barbae condition and whether the findings at the time of the April 2022 VA examination equate to a flareup. The Veteran will need further examinations for this purpose.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing treatment records, particularly those related to the removal of squamous cell carcinoma in 2020. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for these records and any relevant private dermatologist's records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic athlete's foot (onychomycosis), left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and right shoulder disability due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and acne have been remanded due to the Veteran declining VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PFB was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issues of service connection for PTSD and evaluation of a healed condylar fracture at the neck of the right mandible were remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left shoulder strain, pulmonary emphysema (claimed as respiratory problems), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) require additional development due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded.