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

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated as noncompensable under diagnostic code 7813. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating due to topical therapy and less than 5% body area affected.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of their service-connected pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 50 percent evaluation prior to January 30, 2020 for their psychiatric disability.,From January 30, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of their psychiatric disability has not met the criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for VR&E benefits to purchase various items under an ILP due to his service-connected disabilities and lack of feasibility in pursuing a vocational goal.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB).,Service connection for a Sinus Disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder, finding that the Veteran's ichthyosis vulgaris and eczema were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's skin disability of the body and face did not meet criteria for a higher rating as it did not affect more than 40 percent of his entire or exposed body, nor required constant systemic therapy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea pedis, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, costochondritis, and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for these conditions. Service connection was not granted for tinea pedis due to lack of in-service manifestation or relationship to service. A 10 percent rating for hypertension was granted based on diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication. Bilateral hearing loss and costochondritis were denied as there was no evidence of the required manifestations. Vasomotor rhinitis was denied due to lack of nasal polyps, obstruction, or other specified conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left sciatica, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a left shoulder disability due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for a skin disability due to herbicide exposure. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PFB is not currently service-connected, and thus remands the case for further examination to determine if a current diagnosis of PFB exists and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's treatment for his skin disability was considered systemic therapy like or similar to corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae disability rating has been restored to 60 percent effective June 1, 2018.,An effective date prior to September 28, 2017 for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's skin disability, which includes inflammatory hyperpigmentation of hydroxyl adenitis of bilateral armpits and eczema, has been rated at the maximum 60 percent disabling. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted as her condition does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and TDIU based on a single service-connected disability was denied as the evidence did not support finding that any of his service-connected disabilities, alone or in combination, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left hand dermatitis, finding that there was material improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claims for right and left knee conditions, diabetes, bilateral foot condition, nerve problems in the upper and lower extremities are all denied as there is no current disability found.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's skin conditions, including rosacea, dermatitis of the bilateral hands, carbuncle and furuncle of the leg, and actinic damage, as they are not related to his active duty service or exposure to herbicide agents or poison oak.