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

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance due to skin medications used for his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis in 2010 is granted. The claim for a static/recurring clothing allowance based on the use of skin medications for seborrheic dermatitis from 2011 onwards is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, dermatitis, fatigue, anemia/immune disorder, and a nervous system disorder has been dismissed.,The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus had its inception during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment solely because of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of increased rating for dermatitis and reopening of service connection claim for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's left achilles tendonitis is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Board also grants the Veteran a TDIU from March 20, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis, folliculitis, and sleep apnea as there is no current disability found.,There was no evidence of these conditions during or shortly after service.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions of a left corneal abrasion, bilateral earache, rhinitis, sinusitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and tinea versicolor with tinea pedis due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 14, 2020, was denied. His claim for an increased rating from June 14, 2020, was granted with a 30 percent rating effective that date.

Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted as a qualifying chronic disability due to service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Gulf War.,Service connection for internal and external hemorrhoids is denied because there was no anal or rectal injury or disease during service, and current hemorrhoids are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but the effective dates are denied as they fall within the date of receipt of the claim.,The Veteran's claims for increased SMC and disability ratings have been denied due to lack of earlier effective dates.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals require a rating based on voiding dysfunction or renal dysfunction. The specific level is not specified in the decision summary provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to failure of VA examinations, and instructed that he be contacted regarding his intention to attend these needed examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PFB is granted. The Board has remanded the claims for dermatophytosis of the feet and bilateral plantar dry skin, as well as the issue regarding a skin disorder of the head/face other than PFB.

The Veteran's mood swings and depression are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.,Tinnitus is found to have started during active service due to exposure to loud noise.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fungal dermatitis was incurred during his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability to include dermatitis and eczema intermittently throughout body, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between the condition and service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for headaches, but the Veteran's service connection claims for other conditions are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions and failure to consider the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's PFB has worsened, and he is requesting a higher disability rating. The Board finds that the Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, skin disability (tinea manuum), and right ankle disability due to new evidence and testimony.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts in obtaining all outstanding private and VA medical records concerning the Veteran's skin disorder, specifically from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's skin disorders are related to presumed in-service herbicide exposure. The VA will need to obtain a medical opinion on this issue.