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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), finding that there is no credible medical or lay evidence establishing a link between PFB and service.,The Board has also remanded the issues of increased disability ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, lumbar spine strain, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100 percent from February 29, 2012. The RO denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 29, 2012, or based on a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's scar disability was granted a 10 percent rating, effective October 19, 2022.,A higher rating for skin disability and ulcer disability is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including depression, knee degenerative joint disease, jaw fracture residuals, sleep apnea, migraines, eczema, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, bilateral ear disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, left ankle disability, and hypertension. The Veteran is asked to provide additional VA clinical documentation for review.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for skin disabilities, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded to obtain relevant medical records and to provide an adequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, bilateral knee and foot conditions, left ear hearing loss, an eye condition (dry eye syndrome), a skin condition (psoriasis), a thyroid condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left parapharyngeal space mass, a salivary gland disorder, and bilateral tenosynovitis of the wrists.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are currently pending due to remand orders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his inability to attend VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again without requiring an in-person examination, and a new VA opinion will be obtained regarding the nature and etiology of each claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin condition, which was diagnosed as eczema, lichen planus, and lichen sclerosus. The clinician is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's skin condition was incurred in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right hip, PFB, and HTN disorders as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for urinary tract infections (UTIs) was also denied, with the Board noting that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis or symptoms causing functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, dermatitis, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. Service connection was denied for vertigo, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and dermatitis.

The Board has granted service connection for acne, lichen simplex chronicus, and nummular dermatitis as these conditions are found to have begun during service and continued since then.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a condition claimed as sinusitis, and a bilateral foot condition due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran reported symptoms of snoring, fragmented sleep, and choking during his sleep in service. The VA examiner did not provide sufficient information on what additional factual information would be required to determine if the Veteran had sleep apnea during service.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development. The Veteran's abdominal surgery residuals and acne scarring of the head, neck, and face need to be evaluated again with consideration given to any flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's medications used for tinea cruris from February 25, 2011, to September 23, 2020. The VA examiner is required to provide detailed information about the date spans of use and systemic nature of each medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a non-compensable rating for PFB with scars, effective September 28, 2017. The decision also noted that the Veteran has not met the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7822 due to lack of systemic therapy.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, and onychomycosis for additional development due to missing VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed.

The Veteran's facial acne with scarring is granted a higher initial disability rating of 30% from October 8, 2010. The residuals of the right hand fracture are denied any compensable initial disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities, as well as psoriasis due to lack of STRs and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of chloracne, migraines, kidney condition (including recurrent kidney stones), stomach or bowel disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's private treatment records need to be obtained for all conditions.