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

The Veteran's claim for clothing allowances due to prescribed topical creams and ointments used for his service-connected skin conditions was denied as the evidence did not show that these medications caused irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's residuals, fracture, distal fourth toe, left foot (nerve impairment) and denied any increase in ratings for nummular eczema and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to missing VA examinations, outstanding VA treatment records, and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his conditions.

The Board partially vacated the March 2024 decision granting presumptive service connection for a skin disability and granted direct service connection. The Veteran's skin disability is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure along the DMZ in Korea.

The Veteran's skin disability is granted as service-connected. The right knee and blurred vision (bilateral eye condition) claims are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's tinea unguium and TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA addendum medical opinion regarding his service-connected fungal infection.

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids, umbilical hernia scar, tinea pedis, and corneal opacities (claimed as residual of photorefractive keratotomy). The Veteran's service-connected conditions were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand all the claims for further development due to errors in obtaining medical records and military personnel records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer residuals, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine degenerative changes, rendered him unable to secure substantially gainful employment prior to August 10, 2022. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinea versicolor is denied as the earliest allowable effective date is October 25, 2021.

The Veteran's dermatitis is granted as service-connected due to exposure from environmental hazards in Southwest Asia during military service.,The Veteran's voiding dysfunction condition is denied as not related to her service-connected PTSD and obesity, with no aggravation by obesity.,The bilateral hip condition, right ankle condition, and lumbar spine condition are remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and obesity.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities. The appellant is denied DIC benefits, survivors pension benefits, and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's tinea cruris is not rated as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 were denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he was employed full-time prior to September 2, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis and dermatitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), finding that his condition involves at most, 20 to 40 percent of his total body area affected. The decision resolves in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin disability and whether it is related to exposure to toxins during his service in Southwest Asia.

The appeal seeking revision of the May 15, 2002 rating decision that denied service connection for right foot shallow arch is denied. The appeals for effective dates prior to October 17, 2019, for diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to pre-decisional failures of the duty to assist, specifically regarding inadequate examinations for pseudofolliculitis barbae and duodenal ulcer with anemia.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation due to the need for higher level aid and attendance related to his traumatic brain injury.