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

The Veteran's service-connected pustular acne is granted, but his bilateral hearing loss disability remains denied.

The Veteran's dermatitis is granted a 10 percent rating before February 8, 2022. A higher rating for dermatitis is denied after that date.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 30 percent since October 16, 2022, due to three characteristics of disfigurement affecting less than 5% of the total body area.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder (eczema) and a gastroesophageal disorder (gastritis), finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted. Service connection was also denied for chloracne, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and increased rating for guttate psoriasis are remanded. The claim for TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and foot fungus have been reopened, but the issues remain remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin condition, specifically his claimed chloracne. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified medical practitioner addressing whether the Veteran's skin conditions are related to service, including in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a reduction in the rating of foot eczema from 60% to 10% was found to be procedurally improper, and the original 60% rating is restored. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus but denied for low back disorder, bilateral foot numbness and tingling, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's skin conditions other than psoriasis are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are caused by or related to his service-connected psoriasis, and whether any aggravation of the skin conditions is due to his service-connected psoriasis.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the current severity of the Veteran's trench foot and any other foot disabilities, including dyshidrotic eczema. The remand also requires an assessment of whether these conditions are related to his service-connected trench foot.

The appeal for higher ratings for left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis; left knee degenerative arthritis; right ankle strain; right knee degenerative arthritis; and acne of the face, neck, and chest is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for gout and hallux valgus, left foot.

The Veteran's service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's urinary frequency associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective November 17, 2014. The appeal for increased ratings on other conditions was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet, finding that it affected less than 5% of his body and exposed areas, requiring only topical therapy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, as well as clarification of certain procedural matters. The issues include evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder, TBI residuals, low back disability, knee disabilities, right hand and finger disability, dermatitis, onychomycosis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea, and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's neurodermatitis, also referred to as skin condition, has been granted an increased rating of 60 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disorders, specifically psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Additional development is required including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.