Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for acne, eczema, and a left foot disability.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and a left shoulder disability, but denied service connection for a back disability, skin disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for tonsillectomy, allergic rhinitis, eczema, sinusitis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome due to procedural issues with the appeal.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) with residual scarring, effective from April 17, 2018.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, a urinary disability, and a skin disability (excluding PFB), including a claimed rash of the chest and back, to correct an error by the AOJ under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board granted service connection for tinea capitis, hypertension, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine but denied service connection for sinusitis and urinary tract infections. The claims for PTSD, hearing loss, chest pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right knee condition were remanded.

The Board denied a rating greater than 30 percent for tinea versicolor of the stomach, back, thighs, and bilateral arms as the evidence did not support characteristic lesions involving more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or constant or near-constant systemic therapy required over the past 12-month period.

The Board granted an effective date of March 16, 2023, for ratings ranging from 10 to 50 percent for various service-connected conditions.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left thumb status-post ORIF, allergic rhinitis, dermatitis of the hands, and panic disorder. Service connection was also denied for chronic sinusitis.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and a skin condition due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for herpes (cold sores) and denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, a back disability, left knee pain, left shoulder disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, right lower extremity restless leg syndrome, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left and right hand essential tremors, seborrheic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, right upper extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, and an increased rating for a psychiatric condition.

The Board denied service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder, ulcerative colitis, fibromyalgia, and seborrheic dermatitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae as it did not impact at least 5 percent of his total body area or exposed areas, nor did he undergo systemic therapy.

The Board denied an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae but granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for chronic kidney disease, skin condition, erectile dysfunction, hiatal hernia, hypertension, and scleroderma as the evidence did not indicate these conditions were due to the Veteran's time in service or any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae as there was no evidence of characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent of the entire body or exposed areas, nor any intermittent systemic therapy over the past 12 months.

The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected dermatitis, finding that the criteria for a compensable rating prior to February 28, 2025, and an increase in rating from 60% to 30% on or after March 28, 2025, were not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a total disability based on individual unemployability, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, SMC based on housebound status, and service connection for vertigo.

The Board remands the case for further development due to incomplete evidence regarding the severity and manifestation of the Veteran's skin condition.