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

The Veteran's skin rash, variously diagnosed as tinea versicolor versus eczematous dermatitis of upper body, etc., is granted service connection. Service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied.

The Veteran's MDD is granted with a rating of 70 percent prior to November 30, 2023. A higher rating is denied from that date forward.,A compensable disability rating for PFB is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30% rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae effective September 1, 2020. The appeal regarding an effective date other than September 1, 2020, and a higher rating is dismissed due to the restoration of the 30% rating.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated under Diagnostic Code 7813 for dermatophytosis. The Board found that the evidence does not support a compensable rating as his condition only requires topical therapy and does not meet the criteria for any higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acne, bilateral hearing loss, and oral neoplasm due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure during active duty.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, effective February 18, 2021. The condition is currently rated under Diagnostic Code 7806 of the General Rating Formula for the Skin.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 4, 2022.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on all issues due to the Veteran's passing during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for chloracne due to presumed Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran contends that his chloracne is related to in-service exposure to Agent Orange, and a VA examination is needed to determine if it manifested within one year of his last day of active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that there was an error in not obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's PFB, which is necessary to determine if it pre-existed service and whether it was aggravated by service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The appeal is dismissed as the December 2020 Higher-Level Review decision did not contain an adjudicative determination, and there was no specific adjudicative determination with which the claimant disagreed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PFB and duodenal ulcer, as well as his claim for service connection of OSA. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's skin disability, specifically pseudofolliculitis barbae, is not rated higher than noncompensable due to the lack of more than topical therapy and characteristic lesions involving less than 5% of total or exposed body area.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined rating (20%) does not meet the threshold requirement under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and he is not found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for right eye pain is dismissed due to a lack of a decision within one year preceding the VA Form 10182.,The Veteran's claim for left knee pain and sinus infections was denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service injuries or diseases.,The Veteran's skin problems, including facial acne, were granted service connection based on the benefit of doubt due to her competent descriptions of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and tinnitus are denied. The Veteran's hearing loss rating remains at 30 percent.