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

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, as they did not consider or address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service exposure to cold temperatures and post-service skin symptoms. The claim is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for additional disabilities caused by neurotoxic exposure is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The Board grants service connection for sleep apnea and denies service connection for insomnia (as separate from PTSD).,The Veteran's back disability, right knee disability, and muscle spasms of the right thigh and low back are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's acne is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,The Veteran's cystic mastitis of the breasts is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,The Veteran's right ovarian cyst is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a final decision. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required one or more daily injections of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities to warrant a higher initial rating.,The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis is currently rated as 0 percent due to the absence of systemic therapy. Further examination is needed to determine if his current treatment qualifies as such.,The Veteran's chloracne has not been found to cause deep acne other than on the face and neck, warranting a compensable rating.,For the left lower extremity, sciatic nerve, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to August 4, 2022; and in excess of 20 percent since that date. Further examination is needed to determine if this rating should be changed.,For the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was also rated at 10 percent prior to August 4, 2022; and in excess of 20 percent since that date. Further examination is needed to determine if this rating should be changed.,The Veteran's left lower extremity, femoral nerve, peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 10 percent. Further examination is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,For the right lower extremity, femoral nerve, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was also rated at 10 percent. Further examination is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's skin disorder, including boils/acne and angioedema, is secondary to their service-connected PTSD. The RO must obtain updated VA treatment records and attempt to obtain private dermatologist records from Forefront Dermatology in Ankeny, Iowa.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not by themselves cause him to require aid and assistance in accomplishing the activities of daily living and render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected conditions is 60 percent, and he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his PTSD. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU on an extraschedular basis are met.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 30 percent from November 11, 2022. The Board denied a compensable rating prior to that date and denied any increase in the rating after that date.

The Board has determined that the period on appeal for the Veteran's claim began on December 1, 2015. The claims of increased rating and secondary service connection are being remanded due to new evidence received within one year of the April 2017 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for psoriasis with residual scarring and unstable scarring prior to October 4, 2018 due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his skin condition has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for dermatitis was dismissed because he withdrew his request to continue the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of acne and its residuals due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The case requires further examination to determine if the condition is an 'acneform disease consistent with chloracne' and whether it was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is therefore denied.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) and denied increased ratings for hyperpigmented scars due to PFB.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for adjustment, anxiety, and depressive disorder as well as pseudofolliculitis barbae have been denied. The VA Regional Office awarded service connection but did not grant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected skin disability, which affects at least 20 to 40 percent of his total body area. The rating is based on the current manifestations and does not require systemic therapy.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act, presumptive for exposure to herbicides.,Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted as it is presumed due to in-service noise exposure.,Nummular dermatitis and diabetic dermopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted as they are presumed due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis C and its residuals, but the TDIU rating is still pending as it requires further evaluation.