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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin condition (other than tinea pedis) as there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and active service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and hips, finding that the Veteran's in-service duties are at least as likely as not related to her current conditions.,The Board also remanded the issues regarding a skin condition of the nose (actinic keratosis) and a skin condition (seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis), requesting additional development on exposure history.

The Veteran's tinnitus, chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the right and left lower extremities, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted service connection. Obesity and a left ear hearing loss disability have not been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars of the lateral side of neck and face, residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tender scars, lateral side of neck, residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's dermatitis claim is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, left foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot plantar fasciitis due to potential secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new evidence being added to the record since the September 2019 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's hypertension was not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more during the appeal period, thus no compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left hand fracture/long finger disability did not result in a gap of one inch (2.5 cm) or more between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm with the finger flexed to the extent possible; nor was there limitation of extension limited by no more than 30 degrees, thus no compensable rating is warranted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be established as the Veteran did not have a current disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for a left hip disability cannot be established as the Veteran did not have a current disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for a left wrist joint pain (not service-connected) cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for right testicular mass cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for contact dermatitis (legs, face, neck) cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic eczema and reactive airway disease, as well as her TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The VA will obtain any outstanding SSA records, private treatment records, and VA treatment records. They will also schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of her chronic eczema and reactive airway disease, as well as an addendum opinion regarding the combined effect of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has manifested by painful, raised lesions on the face. The Board granted an initial minimum 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's eczema is granted as service connected. The right and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for bladder disorder, rectal bleeding, stomach disorder, colon disorder, skin disorder (other than tinea cruris, tinea pedis or onychomycosis), and skin cysts have all been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address service connection and rating issues related to skin disorders, including whether they are separate from hyperpigmentation or secondary to service-connected dermatomyositis.

The Board has remanded several service connection issues due to the Veteran's withdrawal of appeals for certain claims. Service connection is granted for rhinitis, but other conditions remain under review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's dermatitis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected folliculitis and PTSD.

Service connection for eczema, sinusitis, and BPV as secondary to tinnitus has been reopened.,Headaches have been granted service connection. The effective date is July 18, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board denied service connection for herpes, finding the evidence did not support a link to active service.,The Board remanded several other claims including tinea versicolor, broken and bitten off left middle finger, right side lower rib contusion residuals, right knee tendonitis, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, left foot disability, back condition, left shoulder disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates ranging from March 16, 2001 to January 4, 2008. The conditions were related to his military service and the VA has assigned full ratings (100%) for all granted issues.

The Board has granted a TDIU from February 29, 2012 onwards due to the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities. The decision also grants a TDIU prior to this date based on his neurodermatitis.

The Veteran's asthma, chronic sinusitis with headaches, allergic rhinitis, right foot disability (status post bunionectomy), and bilateral hand dermatitis are all remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran also has issues related to his service-connected conditions that need clarification.