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

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG (claimed as ischemic heart disease and heart attack), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones), and a skin disability, to include chloracne are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted pursuant to the PACT Act are also being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones) are being granted on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted pursuant to the PACT Act.,The Veteran's service connection claim for skin disability, to include chloracne is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG (claimed as ischemic heart disease and heart attack), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones), and a skin disability, to include chloracne are being granted on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted pursuant to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's acne, including residual scarring, was incurred in active service and the Board found that it is related to his military service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic contact dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that his condition may have worsened since the last VA examination. The claim must be remanded for additional development to obtain relevant treatment records and for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the Veteran's dermatitis and reviewing all Spanish language documents.

Your claim for service connection for acne has been granted, and you are now receiving a 30% rating effective March 11, 2013. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been fully granted.

The Veteran's narcolepsy is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of need for assistive breathing devices.,The Veteran's verruca vulgaris (warts) on both hands are not considered severe enough to warrant a compensable rating under current criteria.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as they have not resulted in persistent bleeding, secondary anemia, or fissures.,The Veteran's acne is superficial and has not resulted in any disfigurement or scarring.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's ankle and knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset of these conditions during active service.,The Veteran's kidney transplant disability is also remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its cause.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has decided to remand them due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors and medical records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, finding that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to December 11, 2015.

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $12,814.20 was proper and denied the appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of deviated septum and pseudofolliculitis barbae. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's skin condition, including tinea pedis and tinea versicolor, is found to be related to his active service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea is granted. The claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, a right shoulder disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder are denied. The claim for service connection for a skin disorder (dyshidrotic eczema) is remanded. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a left foot disorder, hemorrhoids, and pruritus ani. The Veteran's claim of service connection for anemia is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for acne, to include residuals thereof, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion. The issue of secondary service connection for acne as related to PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, and onychomycosis. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and medical opinions are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, PFB, knee disabilities, and hip disabilities, were denied. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support higher ratings based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder and skin conditions, are rated at a combined of 70 percent. The TDIU claim is granted as the Veteran's disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations. However, the rating for dermatitis with skin lesions white blotches, acne, and nevi remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.