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

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for PTSD, schizophrenia, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), tremors in the upper extremities, right hand and fifth digit arthritis, right knee disability, left knee disability, and fainting spells with shortness of breath. The effective date for service connection remains February 2, 2018.

The Veteran's PFB has been denied a compensable disability rating.,Service connection for GERD, headaches, and hypertension have all been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected right lower leg disability. The claims for PTSD, TMJ/bruxism, and PFB are denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus as well as the appeal for an increased rating for tinea pedis due to untimely filings.

The Veteran's PFB did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating since August 23, 2018. The condition was rated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin and did not warrant any higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea pedis is being remanded due to issues with the effective date and the reduction from 10% to 0%. The appeal also includes an issue regarding whether a rating reduction was proper.

The Veteran's painful surgical scars of the right ankle and left knee have been granted a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's skin disability, including folliculitis barbae and associated sebaceous cysts, was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The decision denied increased ratings for both periods of time.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, plantar fasciitis, and sleep apnea due to outstanding VA treatment records needing to be obtained.

The Veteran's asthma and pseudofolliculitis barbae are granted service connection, with the former being granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Afghanistan.

The Board has granted service connection for skin disability, respiratory disability, diverticulitis, digestive system disability, pancreatic-intestinal system disability, and neurological disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay accounts and a supportive medical opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eczema disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and persistent depressive disorders, is granted. The skin disability issue requires further examination to determine if it is related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and a skin condition of the face and neck (PFB) have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities at any time during the pendency of the claims or recent to the filing of the claims.

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

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and associated polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's varicocele has been granted a 10% rating. Service connection for ingrown toenail and onychomycosis/tinea in the left foot have both been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, facial scarring due to acne, and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and folliculitis of the scalp, finding that these conditions first manifested in service. The claim for a separate rating for residuals of bilateral foot injury is remanded.