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

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including VA examinations to assess the current nature and severity of various conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not addressed as they involve direct service connection.

Service connection is granted for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. Service connection is denied for left ear hearing loss.,The Veteran's skin disorder (claimed as chloracne) and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PFB is rated as noncompensable, and his low back strain is rated at 20 percent effective the date of claim. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected dermatitis, DM II, and associated PN due to failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, finding that there was no evidence of current skin disabilities present during or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current skin conditions were not related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to September 5, 2019. From September 5, 2019, to October 23, 2022, the Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The compensable rating for PFB is remanded. TDIU and compensation for PTSD prior to October 24, 2022 are also remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PFB should be restored to a 10 percent disability rating, effective December 1, 2017. However, the issue of an increased rating for PFB remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports and the need for new examinations with a different contractor.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of current VA treatment records and an incomplete medical opinion regarding the Veteran's medications for tinea versicolor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected dermatitis, finding that the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, MAC, psoriasis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding private treatment records and inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in service is presumed.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, but dismissed the claims of service connection for skin disability and left knee/leg disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for additional development, including obtaining non-VA treatment records and an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his skin disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether topical medications used for pseudofolliculitis barbae constitute systemic therapy, which could affect the rating assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cystic acne with facial knots and sores and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his skin disorder, including pruritis and non-specific dermatitis. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's skin disabilities and their connection to service, specifically his presumed exposure to herbicide agents and in-service skin complaints.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for idiopathic microscopic hematuria, hypertension, left elbow condition, bilateral conjunctivitis of the eyes, and bilateral Achilles tendonitis have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for PFB has been granted. The appeals for service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral shin splints, bilateral foot disability (including pes planus and plantar fasciitis), and allergies (including allergic rhinitis) are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and ruptured neutrophilic folliculitis require further examination to determine their current severity, and service connection for the folliculitis is remanded due to a lack of an opinion on its etiology.