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

The Veteran's claims for right ring finger fracture residuals, deviated left septum, and acne vulgaris are denied as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI, headaches, left hand condition, left knee condition, bilateral shin splints/painful leg condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, skin disability (tinea corpus), and sleep apnea due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran's assertions regarding in-service events and exposure are considered, along with VA treatment records.

The Veteran's eczema was previously denied a compensable rating, and the maximum evaluation of 60 percent is now in effect since April 27, 2023.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's left foot dermatitis was denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show systemic therapy or affected more than 5% of his body area.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for COPD, allergic rhinitis, and a left shoulder disability as these claims have been fully granted in an October 2023 rating decision.,Service connection is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for atopic dermatitis with pseudofolliculitis barbae and hypertension due to issues regarding systemic versus topical therapy, as well as a need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 26, 2016 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disabilities and bilateral tinea pedis are remanded due to incomplete information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that she is currently employed and unable to secure or maintain full-time, competitive employment as a result of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, chloracne, carpal tunnel syndromes, peripheral neuropathies, right wrist fracture, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 19, 2023. Effective from June 19, 2023, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined schedular rating of 100 percent for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea versicolor has been granted, but the issue of service connection for arthritis of the left leg remains pending and will be remanded.,While the Veteran's skin condition (tinea versicolor) is now considered service-connected, his left leg condition (arthritis) requires further review.

The Veteran's claims for a skin disorder, sleep disorder, psychiatric disorder, and colon cancer have been granted. The claim for a chronic skin disorder other than service-connected PFB, acne, and scar tissue on the chest is denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating of 100 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for folliculitis is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are denied.,There is no indication that the Veteran has been diagnosed with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between his low back disability and these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for atopic dermatitis/eczema, finding that his preexisting skin condition was aggravated by service and is related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's PFB resulted in four painful scars on his face and neck, which collectively constitute three independent characteristics of disfigurement. The appeal is granted as the criteria for rating PFB based on disfiguring scars at no higher than 30 percent and based on painful scars at no higher than 20 percent have been met.

The Veteran's claims for right submandibular adenitis, acne, and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The claim for hypertension has also been withdrawn. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability are being remanded.

The Veteran's request to reopen a prior denial of service connection for migraine headaches has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than GAD and insomnia; migraine headaches; and tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder; other specified trauma related disorder, diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease), and peripheral neuropathy upper extremities have been granted. The claim for hypertension has been dismissed as moot.,Service connection is established for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide agent exposure and arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) based on in-service exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy upper extremities, lower extremities, and acne remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and federal medical records, as well as new examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis/eczema is rated at 60 percent, the maximum rating under DC 7806. No higher or alternative ratings can be applied.

The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis was granted a 60 percent rating beginning August 1, 2007.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the condition prior to August 1, 2007, is denied.