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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his service-connected left elbow, right knee, low back, left ulnar neuropathy, and hypertension disabilities have been denied. The RO also remanded several issues related to service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acne and acne facial scars, finding that there is no current disability of acne and that the acne did not begin during active duty. The claim was denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's skin disability, specifically psoriasis with scars on the hands, was reduced from a 10 percent rating to zero percent effective March 21, 2022. The Board has restored the 10 percent rating based on evidence showing improvement in the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the effective loss or permanent loss of use of at least one lower extremity, specifically his right foot due to radiculopathy. The Board has determined that this meets the criteria for eligibility for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is not rated compensably, as the affected area does not exceed 5% of total body or exposed areas.,There is no evidence of bilateral flatfoot during service or at any time since service. Service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's migraine headaches and left ankle disability are remanded as the VA examinations were not conducted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinea versicolor is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her skin disability (formerly rated as hypersensitivity reaction with residual scarring of the bilateral arms) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and an increased rating for right hip tendonitis with thigh impairment were denied. The Board found no current evidence of a diagnosis of tinea pedis or right hip tendonitis/impairment, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acne with scars disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis of the feet is currently rated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not support a compensable rating.,Both his right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and bakers cyst and left knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and patellofemoral chondromalacia are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The respiratory disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinea pedis prior to January 15, 2016 is remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding the severity of his condition during that period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability (other than basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and contact dermatitis) is being remanded due to the AOJ not making the required efforts to obtain evidence from non-VA facilities. The AOJ will need to make further attempts to obtain treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition distinct from lipomatosis and a dental condition have been denied. The Board found no evidence of such conditions being related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for both acne and fibrosis of the skin due to acne, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is denied. The earliest possible effective date is April 17, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for acne is denied. The earliest possible effective date is April 16, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition, to include chloracne, and denied an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, femoral nerve. The effective date of May 13, 2014, for the grant of entitlement to a TDIU was granted.

The Board granted service connection for recurrent moderate major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae residual anterior neck scars, and right eye corneal scars.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for psoriasis has been dismissed due to their death during the appeal process.

The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent from February 25, 2013, and in excess of 70 percent from May 19, 2017, for PTSD with insomnia disorder, major depressive disorder, and dyssomnia not otherwise specified was denied. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for eczematous dermatitis with seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and folliculitis for the time period prior to July 12, 2023, and for an increased evaluation of left knee ACL rupture status post repair was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.