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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not currently demonstrate an actual need for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, heart disability, residuals of head and face injury, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), chronic stomach disability, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, and sleep disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disability, reactive airway disease, and various musculoskeletal conditions, combine to a 70 percent rating. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) as it did not meet the criteria for any of the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back conditions and bilateral radiculopathy of his lower extremities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to limitations such as difficulty dressing, feeding himself, attending to the wants of nature, and traveling. The Board has determined that these criteria are met for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin condition, including pseudofolliculitis barbae. The AOJ should schedule the Veteran for such an examination.

The Veteran's right leg disabilities were awarded effective November 3, 2022. Effective March 3, 2017, he was granted service connection for venous stasis ulcer of the right leg with chronic stasis dermatitis and resulting scars with venous insufficiency and right lower extremity venous stasis ulcer and edema and peripheral vascular disease with venous insufficiency. Effective August 8, 2017, he was granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for PFB is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's skin disability rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for skin conditions other than pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), including atopic dermatitis, folliculitis, and tinea versicolor. The VA examiner was asked to provide an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions, considering the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, with some issues being remanded.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for atopic dermatitis, finding that her current condition is related to a pre-existing skin condition she had prior to service. The Board determined that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existence and found that the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuous symptoms since service are credible enough to establish a nexus between her in-service condition and her current atopic dermatitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for dermatophytosis (pseudo folliculitis barbae).

The Board has granted service connection for folliculitis of the scalp and retained metal fragments in the scalp and cheek, both on a presumptive basis. The claims for chronic disability manifested by loss of appetite and chronic fatigue are denied as they are found to be manifestations of service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea versicolor was denied in February 2021, but he filed a supplemental claim on November 4, 2022. The VA granted the claim and assigned a 30% rating effective from November 3, 2022. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date, which was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and hemorrhoids have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is remanded as there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors that need to be corrected before deciding the claim on appeal.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and chronic urticaria are related to his in-service skin rash, which is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's dermatitis is found to be related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including a new VA medical examination and opinion regarding his service-connected guttate psoriasis. The case is also being referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for an extraschedular determination as to whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for essential tremor and a skin disability other than tinea unguium due to new medical opinions being needed. The Veteran's essential tremors are not presumed related to exposure to herbicides or contaminated water at Camp LeJeune, and there is no direct evidence of their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, TDIU, and SMC based on housebound status and/or aid and attendance due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and the need for additional development.