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

The Board denied a compensable rating for hypothyroidism and remanded claims for separate ratings for an eye disability and skin disability as residuals of the service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for eczema as the evidence did not show that his condition met the criteria for a 10 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for the Skin.

The Board granted service connection for right temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and bruxism, lumbar spine strain, and erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism. The appeal was denied for an initial compensable rating for eczema.

The appellant is eligible for the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in February and March 2024 rating decisions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and a rating in excess of 0 percent for seborrheic dermatitis, as there was no evidence supporting a current diagnosis or increased severity of the conditions.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis were granted a 10 percent rating, while service connection was denied for herpes, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and multiple foot and knee conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but no higher, on and after November 19, 2023.

The Board granted a separate 30 percent rating for disfiguration due to service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, folliculitis occlusion triad, and hidradenitis suppurativa with associated scars during the period from March 31, 2001 to April 27, 2015; granted a separate 10 percent rating for an unstable posterior scalp scar from November 1, 2002 to September 4, 2003; and denied higher ratings during other periods.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was insufficient evidence to support higher ratings or establish a link between the claimed conditions and active military service.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including chloracne, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, major depressive disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a kidney disability, to obtain further development in accordance with the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act).

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae with scarring due to an inadequate VA examination and potential outstanding treatment records.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and an initial rating of 10 percent prior to August 21, 2021, and a 30 percent rating thereafter for sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for tinea versicolor from August 30, 2002, to August 25, 2003.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The appeal is remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disabilities, including chloracne.

The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for acneiform pitting scars of the face from October 23, 2013, to December 26, 2018, and denied a rating in excess of 30 percent from December 26, 2018. Service connection was denied for left ankle, right ankle, right knee, and right foot disabilities.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the period on appeal prior to July 22, 2020, for major depressive disorder, PTSD and panic disorder without agoraphobia (psychiatric disability) but denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for psychiatric disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features secondary to a service-connected disability, but remanded the claims for skin and left upper extremity disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and dismissed appeals for initial disability ratings, with the exception of remanding certain claims.

The Board granted service connection for mild broad-based disc bulge L4-L5 resulting in mild central canal stenosis pain of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, but denied service connection for restless leg syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diverticulitis, and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for seborrheic dermatitis, dermatitis, and tinea versicolor.