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

The Board has determined that a new medical opinion is necessary to address the Veteran's skin disorders and their relationship to service. The current opinions are deemed inadequate due to lack of consideration of lay statements, potential infectious spread from service, and specific risk factors for the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for anxiety disorder, myofascial pain syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine, left foot condition, and PFB have been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, these claims remain pending as they are remanded for further development.,Service connection has not yet been established for any of the conditions listed above.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, and his eczema and unspecified insomnia and depressive disorder were granted with increased ratings. The effective dates for these decisions are May 17, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's dermatitis residuals of laser surgery, specifically during summer months when her condition is most severe. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new examination in June, July, or August.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis was dismissed as there is no remaining case or controversy.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because the evidence did not show that the condition manifested to a compensable level in service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise related to an event or injury in service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for service-connected Behcet's Disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his symptoms and determine if separate compensable initial evaluations are warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a need for regular aid and attendance. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and dermatitis due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot tinea pedis, xerosis, and hyperkeratosis diffusely, as well as right foot tinea pedis, xerosis, and hyperkeratosis diffusely, were not reopened. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for the reduction in rating and service connection were withdrawn, thus the Board dismissed these issues.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 11, 2017 to December 5, 2019. The case is remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration of TDIU for the period from January 14, 2010 to July 10, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, as well as his PFB and bilateral hearing loss have been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's scars from vein stripping are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and right knee disability were denied in previous rating decisions. The claim for DM II was remanded.,New evidence received since the last denial does not relate to the unestablished facts of these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for a skin disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left foot disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining National Guard records and a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's PFB.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and a bilateral foot condition (claimed as plantar fasciitis) due to lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea versicolor manifested as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, finding that there was no causal relationship between his in-service exposure to fuel and fuel fumes and his current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to new evidence received after the initial decisions.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 10, 2019. However, the claim for TDIU prior to that date is remanded due to lack of schedular requirements.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for eczema are being remanded due to inadequate responses from the July 2023 VA examiner regarding systemic therapy and medication use.