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

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity; chronic left lower extremity sciatica injury with pain; chronic right lower extremity sciatica injury with pain; and eczema, bilateral legs. The issues are being returned due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was diagnosed during service and has continued since. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's dermatitis and eczema (claimed as psoriasis), right hip strain with degenerative arthritis, left hip strain with degenerative arthritis, stress fractures of the legs, generalized anxiety disorder, and hypertension are all granted. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

All claims for service connection related to lumbosacral strain, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, right hand condition, left hand condition, athlete's foot/tinea pedis, right shin splints, left shin splints, erectile dysfunction, alopecia areata (hair loss), and acne have been dismissed due to lack of timely appeal. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for these conditions.

All claims for service connection related to lumbosacral strain, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, right hand condition, left hand condition, athlete's foot/tinea pedis, right shin splints, left shin splints, erectile dysfunction, alopecia areata (hair loss), and acne have been dismissed due to lack of timely appeal. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for these conditions.

The Veteran's scar of the right thumb, PFB, and hypertension were all denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.,Specifically, the Veteran's scar does not exceed 144 square inches in area. His PFB affects less than 5% of his entire body and exposed areas without requiring systemic therapy. His hypertension has required continuous medication but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's use of retinoids and statements about facial acne scarring. The matter is being returned to the RO for correction.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbar strain, left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteomalacia, and onychomycosis on bilateral toenails are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, and back, right knee, and sinusitis conditions. Service connection was denied for bronchitis, hernia, loss of vision, and chest acne.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for dry eye syndrome of the left eye and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were denied. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for various skin conditions, hearing loss, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but denied for hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected skin disability, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

Entitlement to an effective date prior to April 30, 2013 for the award of service connection for eczema is denied.,Entitlement to a TDIU from January 28, 2015 to May 26, 2017 is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. Entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 28, 2015 is denied.,Entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate from January 28, 2015 to May 26, 2017 is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's PFB was granted an initial 10 percent rating from September 21, 2020 to November 18, 2020.,Service connection for ED and headaches were both granted as secondary to service-connected Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and/or medications used to treat MDD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as he can still drive a car and does not require constant assistance with daily activities. Therefore, his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed as the issues were improperly docketed and not properly appealed to the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic pseudofolliculitis barbae and denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is found to have its onset in or be related to service, while the right and left knee disabilities are not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for acne, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability must be remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including insufficient notice and rescheduling of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to attend new VA examinations.