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

Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is granted. The remaining claims of increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for eczema and remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is not service-connected, and the prescribed selenium sulfate lotion did not cause damage to his clothing.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis is rated as 10 percent disabling, covering less than 20% of her total body area and no more than 5% of exposed areas. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including scalp fungus and seborrheic dermatitis, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was not present for an examination scheduled in July 2024, and he is asked to provide any relevant evidence or submit it directly.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his acne vulgaris and follicular occlusion triad conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the most probative evidence showing Level I hearing acuity in both ears.,The Veteran's right ear scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7800 due to lack of one characteristic of disfigurement.,The Veteran's skin rash / eczema is rated as noncompensable, with the most probative evidence showing intermittent topical therapy and no systemic therapy required over the past 12 months.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is manifested by characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent of the scalp and warrants a 10% rating.

The Veteran's right leg disabilities were awarded effective November 3, 2022. The VA Regional Office also granted TDIU benefits effective August 8, 2017.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and GERD have been granted increased ratings, but the service connection for tinea versicolor has been remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of obstruction or polyps. The GERD was rated at 30 percent based on symptoms and treatment history.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and initial compensable rating for service-connected tinea pedis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to either an earlier effective date or a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service connected. The claims for erectile dysfunction, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, and right elbow lateral epicondylitis are remanded.

The Veteran's eczema is found to have onset in service and is related to her active military service.,There is no current residual disability from the tonsillectomy, and thus service connection for residuals of tonsillectomy is denied.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is remanded as there is insufficient evidence addressing direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's PCOS is found to be not related to her service-connected asthma. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether obesity acts as an intermediate step between the service-connected asthma and PCOS.,Service connection for PCOS remains remanded.

The Veteran's PFB has been granted an initial 30 percent rating, effective August 23, 2011.

The Veteran's petition to restore the rating for chronic laceration residuals at the right lower extremity was granted. Service connection was established for a left ankle disorder, but denied for bilateral hearing loss and various finger conditions. The reduction in ratings for some disabilities was found to be improper.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is considering any evidence not previously considered. The Veteran's IBS claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of IBS in the record. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with residual scarring was combined with scars to the face associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a 10% rating has been assigned since January 8, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinea pedis, and hypertension as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to January 10, 2020. The Board is remanding the case to refer it to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis was granted service connection, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating during the period under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, urinary incontinence, a bladder condition (neurogenic bladder), kidney disease, seborrheic dermatitis, hyperlipidemia, encephalopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to the AOJ for further adjudication on their merits.