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

The Veteran's onychomycosis is granted as secondary to service-connected tinea pedis. The issues of rating higher for dermatophytosis tinea pedis and plantar warts are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee condition, lumbar spine condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and sleep apnea to allow for further development. The issues include determining the severity of the left knee condition, whether a lumbar spine condition is related to service, whether PFB was incurred in service or aggravated by a pre-existing condition, and whether sleep apnea is related to service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as the weight of evidence did not support a finding that his current condition is related to active duty or service-connected disabilities.,Claims for increased ratings were also denied, with the Board finding no evidence supporting higher ratings based on the Veteran's symptoms and medical records.

The Veteran's dermatitis of the scalp does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations, as it has not caused scarring or disfigurement and has required no systemic therapy.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for basal cell carcinoma has been reopened due to new and material evidence. His erectile dysfunction is not rated as compensable, and a TDIU was granted from October 5, 2017.,A skin disability, including basal cell carcinoma and acne, is presumed to be related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for several disabilities and service connection claims, including for headaches, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, a left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PFB have been denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA definition of a hearing loss disability.,For his right shoulder, knee, ankle, and foot disorders, unspecified circulation disorder, and scalp disorder (previously claimed as alopecia), the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's onychomycosis/tinea unguium of the left fourth toe was evaluated and found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. The condition did not cover more than 5% of the total body area or exposed areas, nor did it require systemic therapy.

The Board has ordered a remand for an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's treatment is considered systemic therapy, as defined by prior VA regulations. The matter will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, wrist, ankle, and lumbosacral disabilities. Service connection was granted for eczema and bilateral eye keratoconus. Migraine headaches were presumed to be incurred in service.

The case is being remanded for further development of the medical evidence, specifically due to the inadequacy of the April 2021 VA addendum medical opinions. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated after obtaining additional opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding requests and lack of proper communication regarding a DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disorder, sleep disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder due to inadequate medical opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status or aid and attendance was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee, and left foot disabilities worsened since a previous examination in August 2017, necessitating a new VA examination to determine their current severity. The pseudofolliculitis barbae issue is also remanded for clarification of its history and treatment.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for bilateral ankle strain was also denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of a disability as defined by VA. The claims for increased ratings for hypertension, right knee disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and Bells' Palsy syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including tinea cruris and erythrasma, is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his condition during flare-ups and provide a specific assessment of the percent of total body area affected.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a maximum of 30 percent, which is the highest schedular rating under DC 8100. The Board found that the Veteran had characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once to thrice a month over the last several months.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not rated higher than 10 percent from July 11, 2018, to November 9, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran had pain on manipulation and use of the feet during this period.