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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and a heart disorder, have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities in any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder, to include psoriasis, was dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the issue. The appeals for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's lymphatic system disability (Castleman's disease) and skin disabilities have been remanded for further review due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's PFB is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on systemic therapy use.,Service connection for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and left foot pes planus are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for acquired psychiatric condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right big toe condition, tinnitus, and left leg condition are remanded due to the need for additional examinations focusing on conditions incurred or aggravated during the honorable period of service.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), finding that the condition meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7800, which pertains to disfigurement of the head, face, or neck. The Board found no higher rating warranted due to lack of evidence supporting more severe manifestations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 1, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's skin disability, finding that it is related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The decision also supports a grant of service connection for the Veteran's status post squamous cell carcinoma, which was found to be causally related to his herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral athlete's foot/toenail fungus, tinea cruris (jock itch), left knee disability, right hand arthritis, left hand arthritis, bladder disorder, atrial fibrillation, and low back disability.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses related to the claimed conditions at any time since the claims were filed.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted an initial 30 percent rating prior to December 17, 2018. The appeal for increased ratings after this date is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of cervical spine surgery was denied as the surgery did not cause an additional disability, and there is no evidence that it caused his current condition.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected major depressive disorder which precludes him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a higher rating of 10 percent for eczema, which was previously denied in February 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin condition and sarcoidosis due to potential exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos, respectively. The Veteran's STRs show treatment for rashes in Vietnam, but no specific diagnoses of actinic keratosis or seborrheic dermatitis or sarcoidosis. VA treatment records document these conditions post-service. The Board found that remand was necessary due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the medical opinions regarding the appellant's Crohn's disease are inadequate and remanded for a new opinion. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including depression, gastroparesis, regional enteritis of small intestine, psoriasis, arthritis, and osteoporosis, are also being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as incurred in service. The cases for pruritus, athlete's foot, PFB, right knee disability, left knee disability (secondary to right knee), watery eyes, and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering toxic exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during his active duty and is related to his military service.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity (major) is granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective July 16, 2018. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity (minor) is granted a 20 percent evaluation, effective July 16, 2018. Service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for ratings greater than 10 percent for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as a compensable rating for left hand dermatitis due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the remaining claims on appeal, including a new opinion regarding the Veteran's topical treatment with corticosteroid Clobetasol and Tacrolimus.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, specifically dermatitis with scars and chronic pilonidal cyst scar, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.