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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has objective indications of chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness due to his service in the Southwest Asia Theatre of Operations, and grants service connection for this condition. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left ankle, acne, left wrist, left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of current disability ratings.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and chronic athlete's foot are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either pre- or post-August 2018 DC 7813 (pseudofolliculitis barbae) or DC 7813 (chronic athlete's foot).

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and chloracne are remanded due to potential exposure from cleaning the USS Robert L. Wilson ship in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete etiology opinions and failure to substantively comply with previous directives.,Specifically, the Board found that the VA examiners' opinions were inadequate as they did not address the Veteran's contentions regarding his MOS as an aircraft mechanic and the onset of symptoms during work activities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to restore VA disability compensation benefits for 16 days and reimburse $538.13 due to improper withholding of benefits in FY 2012. The issue regarding the withholding of benefits in FY 2013 is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted service connection, and his irritant contact dermatitis is granted a 30% rating since March 16, 2019. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service.,The Veteran's genitourinary disability is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the June 2022 VA examiner to determine its relationship to service.,The Veteran's right wrist CTS is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the November 2022 VA examiner to determine if it is related to service.,PTSD and other specified depressive disorder (hereinafter PTSD) are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service.,Right leg shin splints are being remanded for an addendum opinion from the June 2022 VA examiner to determine their relationship to service.,Left leg shin splints are being remanded for an addendum opinion from the June 2022 VA examiner to determine their relationship to service.,Allergic rhinitis is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the January 2023 VA examiner to determine its relationship to service.,Dermatitis is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the January 2023 VA examiner to determine its relationship to service.

The Veteran's skin disabilities are proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions as secondary to his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development regarding the Veteran's skin disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 8, 2017.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and pseudofolliculitis barbae were rated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin. The disability did not meet any of the criteria for a compensable rating as it affected less than 5% of his total body area or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy was required.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a left arm disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left ankle, left knee, and contact dermatitis disabilities due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation since August 9, 2012.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic sinusitis, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has also been granted as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hip stress fractures.

The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis has been granted a 30 percent rating, effective March 16, 2021.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted an initial 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted an initial 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted an initial 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted an initial 40 percent rating.,The Veteran is now entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's dermatitis is granted with a 10% rating from January 24, 2017, and a 30% rating from November 8, 2019. The Board denied service connection for right knee disability and left knee disability due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any skin disorder experienced by the Veteran during his period on appeal. The VA needs to obtain a new medical opinion to determine if any diagnosed skin disorders are related to the Veteran's active service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis was denied. The VA determined that the condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation based on the severity of his symptoms, which were evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7806.