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

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for hearing loss due to a deferred decision. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinnitus, headaches, hypertension, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability have all been denied or not addressed.

The Veteran's recurrent right shoulder degenerative changes to include chronic pain are granted as secondary to the service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis. The effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain is set at April 23, 2014.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis, as there was no medical opinion or examination provided on this issue prior to the AOJ decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, cervical strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and tinea pedis have been denied. The effective date of the awards is October 13, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PFB was denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at June 6, 2019.,The Veteran's request to restore his previous rating for PFB was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) has been denied as the evidence does not show that his condition meets or approximates the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, GERD, CAD, and eczema due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ will obtain private medical records from various providers to fulfill VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and rating issues, leading to the dismissal of all appeals.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for painful folliculitis scars, effective July 30, 2019, finding that the Veteran's scars are painful and warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial rating of 50 percent for scarring due to acne keloidalis nuchae with baldness and painful and unstable scars is granted from August 10, 2009. The appeal regarding an earlier effective date of service connection for a skin disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for GERD, Tinea Cruris, and a low back disability due to potential secondary service connection. The Veteran's current diagnoses are GERD, PFB, Tinea Cruris, and a low back disorder.

Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted.,The appeal for service connection for psoriasis (recurrent skin disability) and shell fragment wound residuals (recurrent leg disability) has been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of dermatitis, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for bilateral foot conditions and dermatophytosis are remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on three separate conditions (left ankle injury, left foot infection and amputation, and left foot tinea pedis) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is not about service connection but rather the right of a surviving family member to continue the appeal.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision-making process and requires additional development to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for various conditions, but further evidence is needed due to missing service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to warrant readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's additional disabilities are proximately caused by VA care, treatment, or examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for restoration of a 60 percent disability rating for service-connected tinea cruris with pseudofolliculitis barbae, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.