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

The Veteran's prescription for selenium sulfide was active in 2020 and caused irreparable damage to his outer garments, leading to the grant of a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and major depressive disorder, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 30, 2023. The Board found that the Veteran is precluded from substantial gainful employment due to his functional limitations caused by multiple service-connected conditions.

The claims regarding reduction of the disability ratings for low back strain and left knee degenerative joint disease have been dismissed.,The claim regarding reduction of the disability rating for tinea versicolor remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was dismissed. The claims for service connection of a right hip disability, left hip disability, and skin disorder were readjudicated as new and relevant evidence has been received.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's eczema is related to his service, including complaints of a rash on or near his penis.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae affects less than 5 percent of his entire body and does not require intermittent use of systemic therapy or immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, the claim for an increased disability evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, dermatitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence showing a current disability. The claims are now addressed on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atopic dermatitis is related to service, including her exposure to burning oil fields during Gulf War service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's eczema, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's kidney stones are granted as service-connected.

The Board has found that the VA examinations obtained prior to the January 2022 rating decision were inadequate and thus remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hair loss, rhinitis, and disease of the eyes have been denied. The Board finds that remand is necessary to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel disc degeneration and disc protrusions of the cervical spine, bilateral shoulder DJD, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. The decision is based on credible lay evidence that these conditions began during or are related to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia and a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB). The evidence did not support finding that the Veteran's sleep disorder was related to his service-connected tinnitus, nor did it show that PFB caused by acne covered more than 40% of his face or neck. As such, the claims were denied.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple skin conditions and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the four extremities, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), based on a lack of evidence establishing a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's presumed in-service exposure.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the appellant's low back disability, effective August 6, 2020. The skin disability is rated at 10 percent. Other issues remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's skin disability, which includes eczema and tinea pedis, is rated at a 10 percent evaluation due to the coverage of less than 20 percent of his total body area. The Board granted this claim based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to medication prescribed for his service-connected lower extremity disability was denied as the evidence did not show that the medication caused damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted, as he requires assistance with daily living activities due to his medical conditions.