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

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of October 16, 2019, and no earlier, for the award of a 30 percent initial rating for tinea versicolor and tinea pedis is granted. The appeal period does not include any request for increased ratings or reopening of claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hallux valgus and tinea pedis were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during his active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension and diastolic heart failure with preserved ejections fraction and atrial fibrillation may be related to service based on VA treatment records indicating Grade II diastolic dysfunction.,The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his heart condition, including hypertension.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 4, 1980, for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis and eczema. The initial rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded, and a TDIU before September 28, 2011, is also remanded.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 17, 2020 for service connection and increased ratings in various cases. The claims were reopened on new evidence received after the final decisions.

The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for his dyshidrotic eczema and palmoplantar dermatitis effective May 28, 2020. The Board found it factually ascertainable that the condition required near-constant systemic therapy from May 28, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a fungal condition, right knee cyst/benign growth, left knee soft tissue sarcoma, and bilateral knee strains are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and address procedural errors.,Service connection will be considered based on direct evidence of a current disability and a link between that disability and an in-service injury or event.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for all issues related to service connection, as the Veteran did not timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) or use the proper form for her claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for dermatitis (claimed as skin rash) is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis with inclusion cysts was granted a 30 percent disability rating effective from October 9, 2019. The Board found that the increase in severity occurred on or around this date based on the VA skin conditions DBQ completed by his primary care physician.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and PTSD, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran is in need of such assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was granted for pterygium and dry eye syndrome of the left eye, but denied for PFB and scarring of the left hand. The Veteran is now rated at 10% for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant records and conducting necessary examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence, including SSA disability benefits records, and undergo VA examinations for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's psoriasis claim is denied as there is no basis for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded to obtain proper VA examinations.,The Veteran's left hip bursitis and right hip bursitis claims are also remanded to obtain proper VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, with the exception of a grant of TDIU.,No effective dates earlier than specified in the decision are granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting his allegations of disabilities, with some issues being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for beard folliculitis and stasis dermatitis, as well as TDIU due to combined effects of service-connected disabilities, is denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's stress fracture right tibia is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's hallux rigidus of the right foot and left knee patellar tendinitis are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's right knee patellar tendinitis is also rated at 10 percent. Tinea versicolor with tinea cruris, tinea pedis and onychomycosis does not warrant a higher rating. Tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating throughout the appeal period. Allergic rhinitis is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death and DIC claim. The AOJ is required to obtain new VA medical opinions addressing whether service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death, as well as any negligence in reducing his pain medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for CFS, dermatitis, and sinusitis. The decision also denied an earlier effective date for PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded.