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

The Board has determined that the Veteran had a period of active service from March 2012 to October 2012, and remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims. The claims are now pending.

The Veteran's competency is restored, he is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, and his rating for migraines is increased to 60 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, acne vulgaris and acne keloidalis nuchae, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 30, 2009 to March 28, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational history.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea versicolor. The remaining claims of service connection for a back disorder, left-sided radial nerve disorder, and right ankle disorder are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as TDIU effective February 21, 2024.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective February 21, 2024.,An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,A higher rating of hypertension is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, eczema, cervical disability, and back disability due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for service-connected bilateral athlete's foot and for a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor with photosensitivity, finding that his painful and unstable right ear scar warrants this rating. The decision is based on the criteria set forth in DCs 7800 to 7805 for scars.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for initial compensable ratings and service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and acne skin condition due to insufficient evidence of service connection. The Veteran participated in toxic exposure risk activities during her service.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease (claimed as neck pain) and folliculitis of the posterior scalp with associated occipital lymphadenopathy, effective January 26, 2021.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it was incurred in service.,Bilateral hearing loss and PFB are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that his service-connected disabilities increased to preclude substantially gainful employment within one year prior to the date of his claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for service-connected atopic dermatitis has been granted, with an effective date of December 2021. A 60 percent rating is also granted from March 23, 2015 onwards. The Veteran's TDIU based on PTSD alone and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate are also granted.

The Veteran's left hip strain is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and a rating of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, pseudo folliculitis, ankle disorders, shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, jock itch, adjustment disorder with anxiety, acid reflux, athlete's foot and toenail fungus, and epiphora. The Board found no current diagnoses for these conditions.

Service connection for chloracne is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection for hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, as it was added by this legislation.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as none of his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for such benefits. The appeal for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment only was also denied.