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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a neck condition, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The evidence is at least balanced that these conditions had their onset in or are otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU for the period prior to June 21, 2023, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board dismissed the TDIU claim for the period from June 21, 2023, as moot due to the Veteran's receipt of a 100% combined disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic maculopapular dermatitis of the hands is granted. The rating for back impairment, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted with specific timeframes. PTSD is rated at 100% from October 11, 2023 to February 5, 2024. A TDIU is granted effective September 5, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining the Veteran's service department records and verifying his active duty service periods, specifically including any active duty service between May 2002 and January 2004.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spurs, and first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis; pseudofolliculitis barbae; and right knee disabilities. The case will be remanded to obtain additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to inconsistencies in the December 2023 VA examination report and the need for a new examination during an active phase of the condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder, arthritis, fractured arm, left leg shin splints, kidney disorder, anemia, and chloracne. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any diagnosed conditions related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection was denied as there is no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology for arthritis within one year post-service discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis was granted a 30 percent disability rating before January 6, 2023. A higher rating is denied from that date onwards.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted a rating of 60 percent for accrued benefits purposes, with daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, and significant weight loss. The other conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee condition, left knee condition, chronic respiratory condition, psoriasis (claimed as skin disorder), and left upper chest scar/pain. The Veteran submitted new evidence but it was not considered because it consisted of previously uploaded service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for migraine headache, left wrist, right wrist, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's back disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury.,The compensable rating claim for acne remains denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a 10% or higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PFB, hemorrhoids, right index finger pain, and right groin pain. The claim for sinusitis was granted based on presumptive service connection due to exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Board has granted service connection for diverticulitis, a right testicle disorder, and PFB prior to August 27, 2021. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have been incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, right shoulder condition, and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The denial of the claim for erectile dysfunction was based on lack of evidence showing it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The denial of the right shoulder condition claim was due to a lack of medical evidence linking the current pain to service. The denial of the pseudofolliculitis barbae claim was because the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder, right and left knee strains, tinea unguium, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for his skin condition, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The claims are also remanded for a new VA opinion regarding systemic therapy use.

An initial 10 percent rating for PFB is granted prior to August 27, 2020. A higher rating for PFB after that date is denied.,A 20 percent rating for the residuals of a right 3rd metatarsal fracture is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his educational and occupational history.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate medical examination and the need for a new one. The skin condition, including keratosis pilaris, folliculitis, and melasma, needs to be re-evaluated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.