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

The Veteran's skin conditions, including psoriasiform spongiotic dermatitis, seborrheic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma, are granted as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for an autoimmune disease (AID) and a liver disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's increased rating for acne on chest and back was granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae scar on neck is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his skin disabilities, including psoriasis. The issues are related to whether these conditions were aggravated by service or had their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinea pedis, gastrointestinal disorder (including acid reflux and/or GERD), sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sciatica of the left lower extremity due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a Gulf War examination and TERA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's eczema and folliculitis. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination to assess his service-connected seborrhea.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted after the appeal was transferred to the Board and a waiver of RO review was sought. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is remanded as no SSOC addressing this issue has been issued.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure. The claims for chloracne, bilateral hearing loss disability, and disabilities of both shoulders are remanded as new evidence has been received but does not meet the materiality requirement to reopen.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence, including the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. For pseudofolliculitis barbae, a 50 percent rating is granted from May 23, 2019 to February 10, 2020 and denied for ratings in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to inconsistencies in previous medical opinions and new evidence of service participation in toxic exposure activities (TERA).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for acne vulgaris and alopecia have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection for bronchitis, gastrointestinal condition (to include gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome), and sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and PFB due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required in both cases.

The Veteran's PFB is rated at 10 percent, effective March 29, 2019. The RO has assigned separate ratings for his burn scars and neurological symptoms associated with the burns.,The Veteran's burn scars are currently rated as 30 percent disabling overall, but individual ratings for each scar need to be determined.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 1, 2015. His TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear diagnoses and a need for additional private treatment records. The appellant's skin condition, including chronic urticaria and psoriasis vulgaris, needs further evaluation.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service-connected.,His bilateral flat feet are denied as not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for anal fissures and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied as the Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause shown.

The Veteran's claim for right ulnar neuropathy with numbness of the fingers has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a back disability has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis (right foot) has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for pityriasis versicolor and dermatitis has been reopened and is granted.