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

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during the Gulf War. Service connection is also granted for right and left knee disorders, as well as sleep apnea, based on in-service events. The Veteran's eczema and GERD are rated as they currently stand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis, finding that it did not have its onset during service and is unrelated to service.

The appeal for service connection for a deviated septum has been dismissed. The claims for low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sinusitis, GERD, narcolepsy with cataplexy, eczema, and PFB scars have all been reopened due to new evidence received since the final rating decisions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids, finding that there is no link between his in-service symptoms and current condition.,The Board has remanded the issues of sleep apnea and dermatitis to allow for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for nummular eczema was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition involved more than 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, and his treatment with topical corticosteroids (Triamcinolone Acetonide cream and Clobetasol ointment) was considered to be topical therapy rather than systemic therapy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete factual premises in previous VA examinations. The issues include skin conditions, lumbar strain with multilevel spondylosis, reflux with chest pain, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left knee condition, and bilateral pes planus have been reopened. The appeal regarding TDIU is dismissed. The appeals for service connection are remanded due to new and material evidence having been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for an undiagnosed illness, a thyroid disability to include Grave's disease or hyperthyroidism, but separate and apart from hypothyroidism, and tonsillectomy. The claim for folliculitis is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of current disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not make him unable to perform daily functions or require regular assistance.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and separate ratings were denied. The claim for service connection was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, and eczema have prevented her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 15, 2017. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective that date.

The Veteran's skin condition, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and diabetic nephropathy are all denied.,The Veteran is not granted any increased ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to procedural errors, and the issues on appeal will be readjudicated in their original posture from the July 2018 rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and psychiatric disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty. The claim for acne vulgaris with scarring is remanded due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for increases in the staged ratings assigned for dermatitis is denied. The appeals seeking to reopen claims for service connection for sinusitis and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Disease and Injuries of the Spine.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there are no indications of severe disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for seborrheic dermatitis and degenerative changes, residual of fracture of the fifth right metacarpal and scar are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's eczema and associated scarring, as well as the need for an extraschedular rating. The claim will be referred back to the Director of Compensation Service for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of whether a substantive appeal was timely filed in response to a February 2017 statement of the case, finding that the appeal was untimely due to the failure to file within the required 60-day period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's high cholesterol is not a disability for which service connection can be granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.