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

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis is rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted under either the old or new applicable regulations.,The Veteran's GERD with IBS is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board concludes that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than September 5, 2014 for the grant of service connection for actinic keratosis and for initial compensable rating for actinic keratosis are denied. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) from May 29, 2008. The condition affects less than 5 percent of the total body area and/or exposed areas.

The Veteran's acne keloidalis nuchae is rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under current criteria. The condition does not meet or approximate any higher rating based on disfigurement, instability, pain, or other factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of eczema, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current eczema and service. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have a chronic condition during service and that any observed dry skin symptoms were acute.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including skin disorders, heart conditions, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her legacy appeal in favor of higher-level review through the modernized system.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection or higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed. The claims for sebaceous cyst of the nose, chronic pharyngitis, and chronic sinusitis were reopened but not granted. Service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a new one is needed for a determination of service connection for chloracne.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's nummular eczema with keratosis pilaris from January 29, 2015 to June 14, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's skin disabilities, including hidradenitis suppurativa and contact dermatitis. The examiner must consider all pertinent lay statements from the Veteran about onset and symptomatology.

The Veteran's cardiovascular and respiratory disorders were not shown in service, are not presumed to have been incurred in service, and no medical nexus has been established. The skin disorders were not shown in service, but the VA clinician is requested to determine if they are related to the in-service complaints of dry skin and dermatitis.

The Veteran's HIV-related illness is not rated compensably, and his acne is granted service connection. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PFB began during service and is related to his military service, granting service connection for PFB.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a 30 percent disability rating and compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) effective February 1, 2016 due to inadequate examination during a flare-up.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his PFB. The remand is due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's tinea versicolor with pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), finding that his skin condition affected less than 40 percent of his total or exposed skin areas and did not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his skin disability, previously rated as PFB, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations and consideration of outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a neck scar is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a skin condition (including cellulitis and/or contact dermatitis) is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), to include as secondary to service-connected disability, is remanded.