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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dermatitis of the scalp is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and a failure to provide notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and a skin disability due to new evidence received after the AOJ decision. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered by the AOJ with consideration of the newly submitted evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings related to alcohol use disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee pain, right shoulder pain, irritable bowel syndrome, hearing loss, and eczema.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that it was first manifest in service and is related to shaving during basic training.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and headaches are remanded due to incomplete evidence, including missing VA treatment records. The Board requires an examination during a flare-up of the PFB condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hemorrhoids, costochondritis, gastroenteritis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, GERD, and lower back strain due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper respiratory disability and tinea versicolor due to errors in the initial decision-making process. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, including consideration of toxic exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including psoriasis, as there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service or exposure in-service. The Board found that the Veteran's psoriasis is more likely related to genetic factors rather than environmental exposures.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Steroid-Induced Venous Stasis Dermatitis, as secondary to his service-connected pulmonary emboli with sleep apnea and sarcoidosis, has been granted. The case is remanded for further consideration of other skin conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae did not manifest as symptoms of any degree of severity during the period on appeal, and thus denied a compensable disability rating for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic spongiotic dermatitis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current skin disability first manifested during active-duty service and has not resolved.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for eczema is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 4, 2011, for the award of service connection for HIV/AIDS was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 4, 2011, for the award of secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left foot, right and left upper extremities, and eczema, as secondary to service-connected HIV/AIDS was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for HIV/AIDS was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for eczema was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were granted, but an effective date earlier than May 19, 2020, was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran has a current left groin disability and granted service connection for it based on in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for tinea versicolor and tinea pedis is granted, effective October 16, 2019. The criteria for this rating were met during the period on appeal.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae from 30 percent to 60 percent effective April 1, 2022, as the evidence did not show improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for TDIU, which the Board has decided to remand due to insufficient evidence of unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a higher rating for tinea corporis, bilateral axilla, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he has completed at least four years of college and worked as a college professor for over 30 years. The Board finds that the combined effect of his service-connected conditions does not preclude him from participating in a substantially gainful occupation.