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

The Veteran's initial rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy have been granted service connection.,Secondary service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy to the lumbosacral strain has also been granted.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated under the General Rating Formula for The Skin. A VA examination is needed to determine if he has disfigurement of his head, face, and neck due to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinea versicolor with onychomycosis was withdrawn. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vertigo, to include Meniere's disease, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 10, 2015. The evidence did not show that she was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment solely due to her service-connected disabilities before this date.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy, skin disease, nasal disability, respiratory disability, and headaches have all been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral elbow strain, and sleep apnea. The evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and dermatitis, as the Veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal within the required time frame.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PFB and a higher rating for his disability. The Board has found that the current effective date of March 6, 2017 is appropriate, but has also ordered a remand to obtain a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PFB.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent rating for his service-connected skin disability was denied as the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to his April 8, 2020, claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 8, 2017, for the grant of a 60 percent rating for his left knee injury s/p total knee replacement is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 8, 2017, for the grant of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for TMJ and remanded the issue of service connection for folliculitis barbae due to a pre-decisional error in not considering relevant STRs.

The Veteran's low back, left knee, and headaches disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's dermatitis disability is also granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eczema is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a TDIU from July 19, 2023 due to the grant of a combined 100 percent rating and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The appeal for a TDIU prior to July 19, 2023 is remanded as it may be eligible for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and tension headaches are granted service connection. The bilateral knee disability and dermatitis/eczema, psoriasis are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and Viral Gastroenteritis are also denied.