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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis of the right foot, finding that his symptoms began during active duty and have continued since.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acne (with scarring) based on clear and unmistakable error in previous rating decisions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right heel spurs, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary issues, hypertension, hemorrhoids, acid reflux, bilateral tinea pedis, a disability of the lumbar or thoracic spine (upper back strain), and a headache disorder (migraines). The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis and lichen planopilaris with scarring alopecia of the scalp is rated at a maximum 60 percent since December 11, 2016.

The Veteran's skin condition, including ichthyosis vulgaris and dyshidrotic eczema, is rated as noncompensable. The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions due to insufficient information about flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his contention that his colorectal cancer, skin cancer, and intestinal disorder are related to exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan during service. The claims will be further developed with a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type 2 with onychomycosis, tinea pedis, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, finding no evidence of direct causation from exposure to herbicide agents and noting that psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis are not among the conditions for which presumptive service connection attaches.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current right foot dermatitis is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome. The other issues have been remanded due to outstanding records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to August 6, 2018 is being remanded due to a lack of extraschedular consideration. The VA needs to refer the case to the Director of Compensation Service for an evaluation.

The Veteran's skin disability, specifically guttate psoriasis affecting his hands and forearms, is rated at 30 percent. This rating reflects the condition covering less than 40% of the entire body or exposed areas.

The Veteran's bilateral hand dermatitis is rated at 30 percent since June 22, 2017. The Board found that the current rating of 30 percent adequately reflects his condition based on the evidence showing topical ointment use and occasional peeling.

The Board has remanded the claims for scars with disfigurement due to pseudofolliculitis barbae and painful scars due to pseudofolliculitis barbae, as it is unclear whether or not the photographs from the December 2019 VA examination are in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss or loss of use of his lower extremities.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was found to affect less than 5% of his total body area and exposed areas, requiring only topical therapy. His gastrointestinal disability remains under appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gout and a skin disability of the bilateral feet due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's in-service exposure is not specified, but his symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's skin disability, including chloracne, is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his in-service exposure to an herbicide agent.