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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and a need for additional examination. The Veteran's skin conditions other than pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) are being evaluated, including their relationship to service and any aggravation by PFB.

The Board has remanded the claim for a heart condition, including coronary artery disease (CAD), to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psoriasis vulgaris and stomach conditions caused or aggravated his heart condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected eczema, finding that the current severity of the condition does not meet the diagnostic criteria for such an evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU from March 29, 2016.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability has been denied. The case is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of his upper extremity disabilities and dermatitis. The issues include service connection for left and right upper extremity disabilities manifesting in pain and numbness, as well as an initial disability evaluation for dermatitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS is dismissed as moot due to a prior grant of service connection. The claims for increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), high blood pressure (hypertension), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and headaches are all denied. The claim for service connection for flat foot-foot pain (also claimed as foot cramps/spasms of left foot) and knee conditions is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability, neck disability, right arm nerve disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, insomnia, and PFB has been dismissed as the Appellant withdrew these claims.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder is denied. The Veteran did not have a current right shoulder disorder that was etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's skin disability, including genital herpes, dermatitis of the hands, tinea pedis, and onychomycosis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as his condition does not meet criteria for a greater than 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, tinea corporis, and denied ratings for diabetes and a skin disorder (claimed as rash on arms and body). The claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 16, 2013. All service connection claims are remanded.

The Veteran's left foot scar, sinusitis, vasomotor rhinitis, acne, chronic yeast vaginitis, and migraine headaches are all denied increased ratings.,Specifically, the Veteran's left foot scar is not rated higher than 10 percent. Her sinusitis does not meet criteria for a 30 percent rating due to insufficient incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis does not result in at least 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, nor are there any nasal polyps present.

The Veteran's challenges to the validity of his overpayment amount are granted, reducing it from $1,471.58 to $1,451.28.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing service medical records and difficulty in notifying the Veteran of examination dates.

The Veteran's dental condition for treatment purposes is being remanded due to lack of evidence.,Service connection for the skin disability remains denied as there are no compensable conditions found. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current symptoms warrant an increased rating.,The claim for left arm scars is inextricably intertwined with the skin disability claim and will also be remanded.,PTSD and depression claims remain pending due to insufficient evidence of service connection or exposure to Gulf War toxins.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms meet criteria for a diagnosis of depression.

The Veteran's service-connected atopic dermatitis resulted in permanent staining of his clothing, which cannot be removed by washing. The Board granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for 2008 and 2011.

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation for 54 training days in FY 2016 was proper, as the Veteran received concurrent pay and thus did not receive additional benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic dermatitis, finding that the Veteran's skin condition began during his active military service and persists to this day.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was found to affect less than 40% of the entire body and less than 40% of exposed areas, warranting a non-compensable rating. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.