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

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 16, 2012 for the grant of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) based on the need for aid and attendance is dismissed. An initial 60 percent rating for seborrheic dermatitis is granted. A rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for acneiform process of the nose, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7828.

The Veteran's skin conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service, as well as the potential impact of toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected chloracne was dismissed because the Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of dermatitis, bilateral groin areas is granted to a 10 percent rating effective from September 24, 2013. The appeal for service connection for a dental condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorders and their relationship to his Gulf War service, including toxin exposures. The case must be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial higher disability rating for his service-connected psoriasis is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, obstructive sleep apnea, radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the left lower extremity, eczema, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran was granted service connection for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective December 31, 2012. However, the issues of service connection for hypertension and lumbar spine disorder, as well as evaluations for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right knee instability, and left knee instability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection, with the Board resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.,For tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing more than 20% body or exposed area affected.,The Veteran's low back disorder, left lower extremity sciatica, right lower extremity sciatica, erectile dysfunction, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are all remanded for further development as VA examinations may be necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,Chronic sinusitis and headaches have been remanded due to lack of evidence showing current disability or in-service event.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's skin conditions and their relationship to service, particularly his conceded exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination or opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and evaluation, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the appellant's service-connected disabilities and her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to missing VA examinations and potential need for additional medical opinions regarding toxic exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of various conditions during or as a result of military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction was granted. His claim for increased rating of pseudofolliculitis barbae is also granted, with a staged initial disability rating of 10 percent before October 27, 2021, and greater than 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, contact dermatitis, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome was granted.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted on a presumptive basis as a chronic disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for several issues, including initial compensable rating for atopic dermatitis and service connection for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder and moderate alcohol use disorder, sleep disturbances, chronic headaches, keratitis/corneal ulcer, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, enlarged cervical right side submandibular lymph node, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and muscle and joint pain (unspecified).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for psoriasis (claimed as a skin disorder) and the need for a TERA-specific opinion under the PACT Act.