Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2024

The Board has restored a 10 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae from September 28, 2019, to February 2, 2023. The Veteran's condition did not improve and his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work was not improved.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided by the appellant to the Veteran from November 14, 2018, to November 15, 2018 due to missing records and unclear information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne vulgaris has been granted. The claim for recurrent disability manifested by fatigue is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for her service-connected eczema was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the September 2021 rating decision and has ordered further development to verify the appellant's alleged active duty Reserve service dates. The issues on appeal are now remanded for readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU, DEA benefits, and SMC based on housebound status were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 9, 2014.

The Veteran's right foot injury, ankle inversion injury, and dermatitis and folliculitis are being remanded for further development due to the complexity of the issues.

The Veteran's skin disabilities (tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and onychomycosis) have been granted service connection. However, his initial compensable rating for hypogonadism remains pending as the AOJ has remanded this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for hypertension and whether steroid medication for psoriasis has caused worsening of hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis was restored to 10 percent effective April 1, 2021. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other stress related disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is rated as noncompensable due to the lack of characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body affected; or at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected.

The Veteran is granted annual clothing allowances for hydrophilic cream and urea 20 percent cream used due to a service-connected dermatitis, as the evidence shows these medications cause irreparable damage to his clothing.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death. The case will not be resumed on the Board's docket as no one has requested substitution for the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) due to the lack of characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, and no treatment required over the past 12 months. The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and onychomycosis were rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7813 for dermatophytosis. The Board found that the evidence did not show more than topical therapy was required, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

Service connection is granted for dizziness as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for memory loss. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of memory loss or functional impairment from it.,Service connection is granted for nausea as secondary to service-connected headaches.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing noise exposure in service.,Service connection is denied for broken nose. There is no evidence of a current injury or functional impairment related to the claimed event.,Service connection is granted for fatigue as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis and there is no evidence of symptoms from it.,Service connection is denied for low back disability. There is no evidence of a current injury or functional impairment related to the claimed event.,Service connection is denied for right flat foot. There is no evidence of a current injury or functional impairment related to the claimed event.,Service connection is denied for skin disability (claimed as skin rash, dermatitis and hives). The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis and there is no evidence of symptoms from it.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea. There is no evidence of a current injury or functional impairment related to the claimed event.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for TMJ was denied as his interincisal range did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was also denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran had stopped working on March 20, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including right ear hearing loss, tinea unguium, actinic keratosis, and left calf pigmented nevus, have been rated as non-compensable. The three painful left shoulder surgical scars, left ankle achilles tendinitis, and right ankle achilles tendinitis are each rated at 10 percent.