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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 19, 2022. From July 19, 2022, the combined disability rating is 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's skin condition is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of decision. The right knee scar remains denied.

The Veteran's skin disability, including scleroderma, is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service, specifically exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for scars on his facial area and chloracne, both claimed as related to exposure to herbicides. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50% since April 17, 2018, based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to work in any substantially gainful capacity.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 22, 2017 for the grants of service connection for PTSD, tinea versicolor, and IBS are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for impaired vision (refractive error), neck disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for seborrhea (previously characterized as forehead dermatitis) is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne rosacea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current dermatitis is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for blocked nasal passages, presumed to be due to exposure to burn pits during service, is granted.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is granted as the condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral tinea pedis, cervical spine condition, hypertension, headaches, hemorrhoids, OSA, sciatica of the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were remanded but not fully resolved.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral tinea pedis is being remanded due to unclear treatment information and the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including a rating for scabies and migraines, as well as a TDIU claim prior to July 13, 2021. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete development of records and need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's psoriasis is remanded for further clarification of its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation as a heavy equipment operator. Therefore, an effective date prior to June 19, 2014, for the award of total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), finding that the condition had its onset during active service and is related to it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current skin tags to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature of his disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) claims are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The right hand, left hand, left foot, right knee, right hip, and right leg disability claims are denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and need for further evaluation regarding systemic therapy for tinea pedis with onychomycosis.