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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, diabetes, migraine headaches, and tinea cruris due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals as a firefighter. The Veteran's lay statements and medical articles regarding firefighting hazards are considered.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, but denied all other issues due to lack of evidence or failure to meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left hip strain, fractured pelvis, low back disability, heel spurs (right and left), diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular accident (stroke) as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to inconsistencies in medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's rash disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his incarceration and failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, right knee disorder, and right hip disorder due to new evidence submitted. However, these claims are remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine the cause of each condition.

The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia was reopened and granted due to the submission of new evidence indicating a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for psoriasis (also claimed as measles, psoriasis, eczema, and psoriatic arthritis) was also reopened and granted based on the submission of new evidence supporting her skin condition.

The Veteran's skin condition, specifically dermatophytosis and tinea pedis, is rated as noncompensable due to less than 5 percent of the total body affected and no more than topical therapy required over the past 12 months.

The Board has granted service connection for eczema and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) residuals, but denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a specific claim for PTSD prior to June 19, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability other than atypical dermatitis, finding that the most persuasive evidence is against finding that the Veteran has a distinct skin disability from his already service-connected atypical dermatitis.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and tinea pedis for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy, special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate, and service connection for gout and folliculitis. The Board has granted a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy but remanded the issues of service connection for gout and folliculitis due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his skin disability, including acne and keloids, finding that it began during active duty.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a 10 percent rating based upon multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted as service connected, but his claim for an increased rating for eczema is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) for further development. The AOJ must make another attempt to obtain information and records from the Veteran's past employer, including federal agency employment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both hands, and therefore he is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected PFB and tinea versicolor.

The Board has dismissed the claim for TDIU and has remanded several issues including service connection for acne, an acquired psychiatric disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, and a lower back condition.

The Board has granted service connection for folliculitis. The cases of left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as a low back disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for neck scars, bilateral metatarsalgia with hallux valgus, bilateral pes planus with callus formation, and migraine headaches have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to service-connected PTSD.