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

The Veteran's initial rating for scars to the face and neck from chloracne and acid burns remains at 30 percent, as there is no evidence of four or more characteristics of disfigurement, visible or palpable tissue loss, or gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as she does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected dermatitis to include palmar wart has also been denied due to the lack of evidence showing that her condition meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a scar of the chin and lower lip, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, watery eyes, sleep disability, right collar bone pain, skin disability of the toenails (tinea unguium), skin disability claimed as a back rash due to an allergic reaction, chronic dizziness, erectile dysfunction, and chronic headache disability have been granted. The claims for service connection for these conditions are now considered resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for clothing allowances for calcipotriene cream and triamcinolone acetonide topical medications due to insufficient evidence showing that these medications caused irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent rating for bilateral foot eczema with calluses, finding that there was sustained improvement in his condition over five years.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis, GERD, and allergic rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not continuously pursue her claims under the correct form due to a mistake in submitting an incorrect NOD (VA Form 21-0958) for an AMA rating decision. Therefore, the effective date could not be any earlier than July 22, 2021, when she filed a supplemental claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for jock itch (tinea cruris) has been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for left-sided and right-sided hernias, pseudo folliculitis of the face, pseudo folliculitis of the neck, lumbar spine disability, sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the lower extremities, left foot bunion, right foot bunion, toenail fungus and tinea pedis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, osteoarthritis of the hips, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability has also been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's service treatment records are silent regarding any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. Post-service medical records do not provide evidence of current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, hyperlipidemia, and a skin disability (chloracne) have all been denied.,There is no evidence of current disabilities related to the conditions claimed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including GERD, dermatitis, fatigue or cognitive dysfunction, joint pain, and tension headaches, have been dismissed as the appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and seborrheic dermatitis with pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left ankle caused his dermatitis and ulceration on his left ankle, and service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete development, including a missing medical report and an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of his TBI. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the missing report and provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran has a current disability related to a TBI and if so, whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for arteriosclerotic heart disease (ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, with congestive heart failure) was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.,The Appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for eczema and stasis dermatitis was granted based on continuous pursuit of the claim.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hearing loss and an ear condition (claimed as ear infection) is denied.,Tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, so no higher evaluation can be granted.,Service connection for left tinea pedis (claimed as Athlete's foot) is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was denied, and the Board has remanded this issue.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder with anxious stress, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and alcohol use disorder, and cervical strain were also remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, including patellofemoral pain syndrome and knee strain. The Veteran's tinea versicolor is also found to be related to his active duty.,Service connection was established based on direct evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, ankle disorders, vertigo, tinea pedis, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation or evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for contact dermatitis, finding that it is not related to his in-service shrapnel injury and does not meet the criteria for service connection.