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

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the year 2020 is granted due to prescribed triamcinolone creme causing irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for hearing loss or disability of the cervical spine, and denied all other claims.

The Veteran's initial disability evaluation for rhinitis was denied, and the claims of service connection for eczema/skin disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right foot disorder (pes planus) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied. The Board found that the disability has been rated at its maximum and no higher ratings are warranted. For his TDIU claim, the Veteran was granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's athlete's foot and pityriasis versicolor were granted service connection. Service connection for chloracne, bilateral hearing loss, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, right shoulder disability, heart disability, mycosis fungoides, and scars are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), chloracne, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation due to potential toxic exposure during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA TERA opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's onychomycosis was rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's skin disability, including polymorphous light eruption, contact dermatitis, and dermatophytosis, is rated at 60 percent for the period from September 1, 2017 to February 25, 2020.,An earlier effective date of September 1, 2017, but no earlier, has been granted for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and tinea pedis have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Right ankle pain has been remanded, indicating that further evidence or clarification is needed.

The Veteran's dermatitis, OSA as secondary to PTSD, left ankle arthritis, and right ankle arthritis are all granted service connection.,The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 20, 2011 for the assignment of a 60 percent rating for eczematous dermatitis. The Veteran's claim was not previously denied and there is no indication that he had symptoms prior to filing his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The effective date of service connection for PFB was denied because there were no formal claims filed prior to November 6, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death. No effective date has been assigned.

The Veteran's dermatitis and eczema were rated at non-compensable prior to May 29, 2020. The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining private treatment records from December 2019 to September 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis, finding that the Veteran's condition had its onset in service and is continuous since.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for acne/acne vulgaris as secondary to his service-connected excoriation disorder, finding that the evidence supports a finding of aggravation by the service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for readjudication of his service connection claims for eczema, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The AOJ is now required to address these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease, right knee instability, acne, and scars have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for a right digit disability. The claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions or their relationship to service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for painful scar, anterior neck was denied as the evidence did not show three or four scars that were both unstable and painful.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea versicolor (claimed as dermatosis) was denied because his condition does not meet the criteria for a 30 percent or higher rating under the new regulations.