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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure of VA to provide an adequate etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's eczema. The Veteran is seeking service connection for eczema, and a new opinion is needed to determine if his condition is related to in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board found that the evidence is not in favor of service connection for right upper extremity muscle myalgia, left upper extremity muscle myalgia, mouth ulcers, and tinea versicolor as there was no current disability or a causal relationship to an in-service disease or injury.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, foot fungus, and acid reflux. The right knee injury and hemorrhoids remain under review.,Service connection is granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae, foot fungus, and acid reflux. The right knee injury and initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's atopic dermatitis, as the February 2020 VA medical examination was not adequate for this purpose.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), the maximum schedular rating available, subject to the laws and regulations governing the awards of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his tinnitus began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied because the evidence does not show that he has characteristic lesions involving at least five percent but less than 20 percent of the entire body affected; or intermittent systemic therapy over the past 12-month period.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there are inconsistencies in the medical records regarding whether his hearing loss had its onset during service.

The Veteran's reduction in the evaluation for dermatitis from 10 percent to a noncompensable rating was not proper, and his 10 percent rating is reinstated. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, HIV and AIDS, PFB, and left hand ring finger disability are denied. The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for his left hand scar disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened due to new and relevant evidence. However, the Board finds that he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. The skin disability issue is remanded as there was an inadequate examination in the previous rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for a left-hand disorder, right-hand disorder (including right little finger disorder), and pseudofolliculitis barbae as there is no evidence of these conditions during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a failure to submit a completed VA Form 21-526 within one year of her intent to file, despite receiving multiple notices and opportunities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have migraines or a psychiatric disability related to service, and his PFB is currently rated as noncompensable. The issues of service connection for migraines, MDD, and an initial compensable rating for PFB are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a compensable disability rating for tinea pedis and various other conditions, including skin rashes, stomach disability, and psychiatric disorders, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and a new VA examination by a podiatrist is required.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's right hip trochanteric pain syndrome with limited flexion and thigh impairment were each denied initial compensable evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with other issues and requires remand to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint and disc disease of the low back, left knee osteochondroma, right knee degenerative joint disease, hypertension, folliculitis, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 2021. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this evidence.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, hearing loss, eczema, anxiety, and depression.