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

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's eczema, finding that the disability affects less than 5 percent of his total body area and is not treated through systemic therapy.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma and eczema, as well as whether there is new and material evidence to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for infertility. The appeals are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran was granted an initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder effective January 15, 2011. He is denied a compensable rating for tinea versicolor prior to October 22, 2021 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date. A TDIU was granted prior to October 22, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been withdrawn. Service connection is granted for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, with the cause being service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor rating was reduced to zero percent due to non-response for a scheduled VA examination. The Board found that the Veteran did not receive proper notice and assistance, leading to restoration of her 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances in 2016 due to his use of knee braces and topical medication for service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral cataracts, right elbow olecranon bursitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6027 due to the absence of visual impairment. His right elbow olecranon bursitis is rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Codes 5003 and 5206, with no limitation in range of motion or extension/extension issues noted. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7806 due to the lack of systemic therapy or disfigurement.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for asbestosis (claimed as a skin rash) because it was rendered moot by the grant of service connection for atopic dermatitis in a February 2021 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for evaluating the Veteran's eczema disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that it began during active duty and has persisted since then.,The Veteran withdrew his claim for photosensitivity of the eyes (aversion to sunlight), which was previously service connected. The Board found no evidence linking this condition to military service.,The Veteran's tinea versicolor is granted as a service-connected disability, with the Board noting that it has persisted since service and may require long-term treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service.,Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is also denied as there is no clear history of the condition during or shortly after service.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition of the scalp, specifically acne keloidalis, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is granted a 30 percent rating, effective March 30, 2018. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 50 percent rating, also effective March 30, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board remanded several issues related to his disabilities. The initial compensable rating for bilateral open angle glaucoma was granted after December 10, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the failure to afford him an informal teleconference with a Decision Review Officer (DRO) as requested in his previous requests.

The Board granted the reopening of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae but denied the claim on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and examination, as requested by the Veteran. The issues of initial compensable evaluation for service-connected DM and increased evaluation for PFB are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.