Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and chronic radiation dermatitis, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left knee sprain, right knee sprain, bilateral tinea pedis (athlete's foot), and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining VA treatment records from 2014-2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PFB.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The right calf scar is granted a compensable rating. Service connection for the right and left hip conditions, and dermatitis, remains pending due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's tinea pedis is rated at 10 percent, and his residuals of fracture left, fifth metatarsal are rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded the case for further development.,The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral tinea pedis and residuals of fracture left, fifth metatarsal. His claim for service connection for achilles tendonitis is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM II) was withdrawn. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for seizures, finding that reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim has been resolved.,Service connection is denied for chloracne as there is no evidence of current disability and the Veteran did not have chloracne during service or within one year after separation from service. Service connection for osteoporosis of the left hip and right hip, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are also denied due to lack of in-service onset.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, chronic cervicogenic tension related headaches, compression fracture T7, right knee degenerative joint disease, cervical strain, tinnitus, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome and dermatitis, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to incomplete evaluations, including lack of opinions regarding the etiology of her musculoskeletal conditions and skin disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined as they all relate to reactive arthritis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's psoriasis and associated skin conditions, including a request for an increased rating, service connection claims, and requests for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's tinea versicolor and eczema.

The Veteran's service-connected back and skin disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation of chronic allergic rhinitis has been withdrawn. An initial 30 percent evaluation is granted for recurrent headaches.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the Veteran's claim for seborrheic dermatitis (claimed as skin condition) and hemorrhoids are both remanded.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection.,A compensable initial rating for dermatitis (claimed as skin condition of head and neck) is denied. However, a 60 percent disability rating for dermatitis from October 30, 2018, is granted.

The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, but his skin disability is rated at 10 percent.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran died due to anoxic brain injury, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further investigation into whether his service-connected disabilities could have contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding this issue and another remand is required. The Veteran's attorney asserts a 60 percent rating for entire period of appeal based on treatment during the appeal period, but VA examination opinions have not adequately addressed whether the treatment constitutes systemic therapy.

The Veteran's tinea unguium and TDIU claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a VA addendum opinion on the severity of his tinea unguium.

The Veteran's contact dermatitis is granted a 10 percent disability rating, but his depressive disorder remains at a 50 percent rating. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tremors and TDIU.

The Veteran's skin disability, tinea versicolor, is granted service connection. The claims for residuals of inguinal hernia repairs and hand disabilities are remanded due to lack of current evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding reduced ratings for sinusitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of these conditions. The initial increased rating for rhinitis was granted to 30 percent from November 12, 2019.