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

The Veteran's combined service-connected rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) has been referred to the Director, VA Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left hand pain, initial compensatory disability rating for erectile dysfunction (ED), and initial compensable disability rating for arthritis, MCP joint, right hand.

Service connection is granted for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) and Headaches, both conditions that began during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased initial ratings for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and pseudofolliculitis before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that his asthma did not preexist service and was unrelated to service. The Board also denied an increased rating for his service-connected neurodermatitis.,The Veteran sought a higher rating for his neurodermatitis, but the Board found that his condition affected less than 20% of his total or exposed body area and did not require systemic therapy.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for atopic dermatitis effective since October 5, 2017. The Veteran's condition affects less than 20% of her entire body and less than 5% of exposed areas during flares or breakouts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atopic dermatitis existed before service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a skin disorder other than dermatophytosis and seborrheic dermatitis was denied as there is no evidence of such condition being related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent prior to April 19, 2019, but denied for evaluations in excess of 70 percent on or after that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, gastrointestinal condition, and skin condition other than skin cancer and/or skin lesions, including tinea cruris. The evidence of record does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with its duty to assist as required by 38 U.S.C. § 5103A, specifically failing to adequately consider and fully discuss the Veteran's current skin conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure to obtain a VA examination and because of the Veteran's homelessness, which prevented him from attending the previously scheduled examination. The Veteran is advised to provide his current address and phone number.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's psoriasis treatment and its impact on his disability rating. The VA will provide a new examination to determine if the treatment qualifies as systemic therapy or is like a corticosteroid.

The Veteran's eczema, previously service-connected as tinea cruris of the left ankle, is now rated at 10 percent for affecting less than 20% of his entire body or exposed areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, lichenoid dermatitis, bilateral cataracts, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 17, 2015.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for dermatitis and neck pain, so the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB has been reopened, but the issue is remanded. The claim for service connection for alcohol abuse has also been reopened and is being remanded. The initial rating for migraine headaches remains at 50%.

The Veteran is granted one annual clothing allowance for 2015 for medication prescribed by VA for a service-connected skin condition. The claims for back and right knee braces are denied as they were not used due to non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's dermatitis, urticaria, nonlinear deep scar secondary to circumcision surgery, painful scar secondary to circumcision surgery, and degenerative arthritis of the right elbow claims due to potential systemic therapy affecting his skin conditions. These issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (claimed as sexual dysfunction) secondary to his service-connected urticaria and tinea versicolor was denied.,Service connection for chloracne was also denied due to lack of current disability.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches since April 4, 2017. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and a vision disorder (not specified). The Veteran's right forearm disorder other than a wrist strain, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are remanded.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches since April 4, 2017. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and a vision disorder (not specified). The Veteran's right forearm disorder other than a wrist strain, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are remanded.