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

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to a duty to assist error, specifically related to the PACT Act. The appellant's DIC claim will be developed in accordance with VA's statutory duties under the PACT Act.

The Board granted service connection for GERD, sinus headaches, right and left lower extremity neuropathy, pseudofolliculitis barbae of the skin, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's skin condition, specifically tinea versicolor. The case will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection. Service connection for cellulitis and folliculitis is denied as there is no current disability. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as there are no signs or symptoms of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is being remanded due to the need for documentation regarding the qualifications and competency of the VA examiner who provided a medical opinion in February 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on a lack of evidence showing a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has denied service connection for anemia and remanded the claim of service connection for tinea cruris. The decision on anemia is based on a lack of evidence linking current anemia to service, while the tinea cruris issue requires further examination due to missing VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right eye disability, including corneal abrasions, is granted. The claims for left elbow disability and tinea pedis are denied.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist and remands are required for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a skin disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and insomnia.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC HB was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for SMC HB based on his service-connected disabilities and unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left eye glaucoma, right eye glaucoma, and tinea pedis due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain her Reserve service records and provide TERA opinions regarding certain conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema, finding that he had a current disability of eczema that had its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, while his TBI and other conditions are denied. The left knee instability receives a separate rating of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for eczema, migraines, and a right knee disability due to potential exposure to toxins during service in Bahrain. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to these substances, chemicals, airborne hazards, and fine particulate matter.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with right foot bunion and left foot bunionectomy are not entitled to a rating in excess of 50 percent.,Right foot hallux valgus is not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Left foot hallux valgus is not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Right foot hallux valgus is not entitled to a compensable rating.,Left foot hallux valgus is not entitled to a compensable rating.,Left hip trochanteric pain syndrome with limitation of extension and impairment of abduction are not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Right knee chondromalacia patella and left knee chondromalacia patella are not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,Post-operative scars of the knees are not entitled to a compensable rating.,Right wrist strain is not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Left wrist strain is not entitled to an effective date prior to June 26, 2020.,Duodenal ulcer with duodenitis is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,Atopic dermatitis is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA benefits were denied as effective dates prior to February 15, 2016 are not warranted due to the lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as began during his active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the claims for psoriasis, shingles, and keratosis due to insufficient evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's assertions regarding exposure to tainted water in Bahrain are noted, but additional opinions addressing these specific exposures are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, sinusitis, and upper respiratory infections were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae.