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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis B, chronic dermatitis, and a low back disability have been denied. The claim for TDIU prior to July 2, 2021, remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and pes planus, and has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's claim of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for left knee disability, back pain, and headaches were reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including rating higher than 20 percent for low back disability, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and cystic acne; service connection for thyroid disability secondary to cystic acne; and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation higher than 30 percent for acne is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and the need for a physical examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for dyshidrotic eczema (previously rated as trench foot) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the use of topical corticosteroids.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of recent VA examination and because the full scope of the Veteran's skin disability needs to be evaluated, including its impact on employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the complexity of the issues.,No new or material evidence was presented, so no changes in rating were granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate rationale in a previous VA medical examination, and further investigation is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and further development is required before a final decision can be made on the increased evaluation claims for gout of the bilateral feet, hands, and knees with degenerative joint disease and eczema with urticaria.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connection pursuant to the PACT Act. The claim for tinea pedis, onychomycosis of the bilateral feet (previously evaluated as dermatophytosis), prior to October 23, 2020 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the evidence does not show that it warrants a higher rating.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since May 2016. The current audiometric testing shows no improvement in his hearing condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence or have new examinations conducted.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for PTSD, lumbar strain, PFB, headaches, and right hand strain. The Veteran's representative withdrew their representation, and Disabled American Veterans was appointed as the new representative.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for dermatitis of the scrotum was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service and concluded that it was more likely related to impetigo diagnosed during service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and skin condition. The claim of service connection for hypertension was granted in a March 2023 rating decision, but the Veteran did not appeal the rating or effective date assigned. The claim of service connection for skin condition was denied as there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology after service and the post-service diagnoses are unrelated to any in-service rash.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected skin disability.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings. The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction was denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis was also denied.