Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's low back disability, right knee disability, bilateral hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease, bilateral shin splints (tingling of the bilateral lower extremities), tinea versicolor, migraines, and left shoulder disability are all found to have onset during his period of service from July 1996 to July 2008. As a result, these conditions are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is not considered due to lack of current diagnosis or functional impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for psoriasis and remanded the claims of unspecified anxiety disorder and PTSD due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been denied. The claim for tinnitus has been granted with an effective date prior to January 22, 2020.,The psychiatric disability claim is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's left elbow degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, and eczema are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for right ankle degenerative joint disease with a rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and fungus infection of the bilateral feet and nails is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not appropriate as her condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA regulations.

The Veteran's dermatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's dermatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus based on direct evidence of in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as the evidence did not show that it covered more than 5% of his exposed or total body area.,The Veteran's claim for scars associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae was also denied, as there were no characteristics of disfigurement, visual or palpable tissue loss, or gross distortion or asymmetry of facial features.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection for lumbar strain, migraines, and dermatitis. However, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a stomach condition is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of September 14, 2010, based on his service-connected skin disorder and major depressive disorder preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability, folliculitis barbae, migraines, and tinnitus are all found to be related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus prior to August 14, 2024 is granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 14, 2018 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.,Service connection for left shoulder disability was granted on May 14, 2019 with a rating of 100% from November 2, 2018.

The Veteran's skin cancer disability and psoriasis have been granted service connection, with the effective date set at February 27, 2020. The rating for his skin cancer is currently 30 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and hypertrophic scarring as secondary to now service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae are granted. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral toenail fungus, and genital warts or syphilis are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric and eczema disabilities, including an increased rating for her eczema. The appellant is eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the March 2023 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right foot tinea corporis were rated at 10 percent each, but the Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's acne (claimed as facial skin disorder) is not service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as lower back condition) is not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for tinnitus or adjustment disorder with depressed mood, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder due to the current schedular ratings being appropriate. Service connection has also been denied for pseudofolliculitis barbae, acne, constipation, muscle breakdown, cervical spine strain, lumbar spine strain, right hand/finger disorder, left hand/finger disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, migraine headache, residuals of tonsillectomy, and shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to December 14, 2015, for the grant of a 60 percent rating for eczema with xerosis has been dismissed due to his death. The appeal for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been dismissed.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) due to the lack of evidence showing characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body affected or at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected.