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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues include reopening claims for service connection for various conditions and seeking higher disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorders, specifically dermatographia, pressure urticaria, xerosis, and eczematous rash. The examiner is requested to provide a new opinion addressing the etiology of each condition and whether it is related to service.

The appeals of the denials of service connection for hypertension, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are dismissed. Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for folliculitis and hypertension are denied. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, post-traumatic tissue mass of the right midfoot, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acne rosacea, and tension headaches. Service connection was denied for a right knee disability, arrhythmia, prostatic hypertrophy, and a disability manifested as tingling and numbness in hands, fingers, toes, and forehead.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of migraines, cervical spine disability, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, GERD, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development of his service-connected acne scarring disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder secondary to those conditions.

The Veteran's eczema was rated at a 10 percent evaluation from January 14, 2020. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for the period before January 14, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis and service connection for skin conditions other than carbuncle scars have been denied. The Board found that the current symptoms do not warrant an increased rating, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected lumbar strain, cervical strain, dermatitis, and headaches due to incomplete examinations and lack of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's skin conditions and left arm atrophy are being remanded for further evaluation as the current evidence is insufficient to determine their severity or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's eczema affects any exposed areas of his body, and for clarification on the use of topical corticosteroids.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for dermatophytosis tinea pedis and plantar warts were denied as the evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a rating in excess of 0 percent.,Both pre- and post-August 2018 rating criteria require at least 5% of the entire body or exposed areas affected, but neither condition met this requirement.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including an adjustment disorder, right knee and ankle disorders, eczema, bilateral arms, excessive sweating of the hands, a scar on the back of the mouth, and a hypertrophic scar of the right arm. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for left hip osteoarthritis, left thigh limitation of extension, and left thigh limitation of flexion as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney. The case is remanded for further action on the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral lichen simplex and chronic dermatitis.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and remanded the issues of service connection for joint pain, muscle pain, bilateral foot disability (metatarsalgia and pes planus), and dermatitis due to presumed exposure to burn pits during service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a TERA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's skin rash of the groin area, including whether it is related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's acne, eczema, dermatitis, seborrheic keratosis, left shoulder strain and degenerative changes, and back disability manifested by pain are all granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is also granted as service-connected.