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

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 5, 2012 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran was found to be precluded from gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities starting from that date.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, hypertension, lower back disability, skeletal arthritis, skin disability, bilateral eye disability, and bilateral sinus disability have all been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including service treatment records.

The Veteran's respiratory disability (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) is granted on a presumptive basis due to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Service connection for chronic skin rashes and insomnia are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for posterior neck scarring, PFB of the posterior neck and hairline, and lumbosacral spine strain are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. Further evaluations by VA doctors will be needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as tinea ungium (fungal rash), fissures, xerosis, cellulitis, and onychocryptosis. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to moisture during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PFB and forehead scar, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for PFB and forehead scar under Diagnostic Code 7800, and did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral foot pain and remanded for further action regarding her eczema claim.

The Board has granted service connection for follicular dermatitis with scarring, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to an error in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected chloracne is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination provided, which did not consider the extent of the Veteran's facial and neck coverage by chloracne, including cysts and scars.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities is granted from October 1, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) does not warrant a compensable rating, as it affected less than five percent of his entire body and exposed areas without requiring topical or intermittent systemic therapy.

The Board has determined that the decision denying eligibility for PCAFC is not clear and does not provide adequate reasons or bases. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tension headache, left shoulder labral tear, wrist tendinitis, fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, TMJ capsulitis, dry eye syndrome, allergic rhinitis, scars, and psoriasis are considered. The Board has ordered remand to clarify the reason for denial and provide proper notice.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, and psoriasis as secondary to service-connected bipolar disorder and panic disorder due to errors in duty to assist.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at a 10 percent disability level, with the condition affecting less than 20 percent of exposed areas. The decision grants an initial rating for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 9, 2016 for the grant of service connection for vasomotor rhinitis and dermatitis and lipomas.,The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a claim for skin cancer included in his previously denied claim, which was filed in January 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for polyps liver growth is remanded. The effective date for the grant of service connection for chloracne remains denied, and a rating for chloracne is also pending. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the February and March 2022 VA examinations. The RO must schedule new examinations and obtain adequate opinions regarding the severity of pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as the etiology of erectile dysfunction, low back disorder, and left hip disorder.