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

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, headaches, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spondylosis with cervical strain (neck disability) and low back disability.

Service connection was denied for irritable bowel syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. Pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 10% based on topical therapy required over the past 12-month period. Hemorrhoids are currently rated as 10% disabling.,Service connection was granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae, but a higher rating is denied due to lack of evidence showing systemic therapy or characteristic lesions covering more than 5-20% of exposed areas or total body area.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's skin disability, which includes eczema, dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and urticaria, was denied an increased rating from April 23, 2009 to October 10, 2019. From October 10, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's skin disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and non-VA-generated evidence being added to his claims file.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for a 50 percent rating for PFB and service connection for painful scarring on his neck. The Board finds that the earliest effective date available is February 16, 2020, for both conditions.,A 50 percent rating for PFB was granted effective February 16, 2020, but no earlier. Service connection for painful scarring on the neck was also granted effective September 15, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot conditions and tinea pedis are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The Board finds the VA examinations insufficient and requires further examination to determine if these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral onychomycosis with tinea pedis have not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations, as they do not involve more than topical therapy and less than 5% of total body area affected.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 15, 2017 for increased ratings of 20 percent each for acne scarring related to rheumatological SAPHO syndrome in the Veteran's head, face, trunk, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity. The effective date is based on a finding that there was a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to the date of the claim.

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection based on presumptive service connection due to Southwest Asia service. The remaining conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's GAD was granted an increased rating to 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran's eczema was denied a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), recurring left ear otitis media, and recurring right ear otitis media due to a lack of current disabilities and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot. The Veteran was found capable of performing activities of daily living with assistance but not requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of a July 1981 decision that denied service connection for psoriasis on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) because there was no evidence to support the finding that the condition pre-existed service or was not aggravated by service. The Veteran argued that the AOJ did not meet the clear and unmistakable evidence standard, but this disagreement does not constitute CUE.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause intermittent inability to dress or undress herself, an inability to keep herself ordinarily clean and presentable, and an inability to feed herself through loss of coordination and weakness of the upper extremities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, but do not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's SMC under the housebound criteria was denied as his combined rating for service-connected disabilities dropped below 60% after a reduction in his tinea versicolor rating.

The Board has determined that no new and relevant evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, bilateral foot disability, and acne. The Veteran's additional lay statements were found to be cumulative.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional medical opinions, including those related to valvular heart disease, keratoconjunctivitis, upper extremity radiculopathy, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, a skin condition, shin splints, knee meniscal tear, muscle/tendon strain of the lower leg, and sleep disturbances.