Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, and tinea versicolor as they are all found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's skin condition, specifically pseudofolliculitis barbae, affected at least 5% but less than 20% of his total body area. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted due to the lack of systemic therapy and denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's tinea pedis, bilateral feet is currently rated as noncompensable due to the lack of characteristic lesions covering more than 5% of the total body area or exposed areas.,Service connection for flat feet has not been established as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active duty service and is granted. The claims for TBI, migraines as secondary to TBI, an eye disability as secondary to TBI, anosmia as secondary to TBI, loss of sense of taste as secondary to TBI, athlete's foot, ingrown toenails, foot pain, joint pain, low back disability, and acne are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board found that ED is not related to active service.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was denied because the condition resolved post-service and there is no evidence it was caused by toxic exposure risk activities during service.,The Veteran's claim for parakeratosis (skin rash) was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a skin rash, and the Board found that the condition is not related to active service.,Service connection for headaches was denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or causation during service.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied because he does not have auditory threshold levels meeting the criteria for a hearing loss disability.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed as the claim has already been granted.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) was denied because it is not secondary to service-connected lower back problems and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,PFB was denied as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis at any time during the pendency of the claim.,The appeal for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and osteophytes is remanded, meaning further action by the AOJ is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's claim is being readjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent, dermatitis as of December 4, 2024 was granted a 10 percent evaluation, and kidney stones were denied. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting an earlier date than April 22, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis from August 12, 2020, to December 18, 2020 is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for dermatitis and obstructive sleep apnea due to toxic exposure risk activities during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea versicolor is remanded due to errors in the decision-making process, including failure to consider VA treatment records and VA examination.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae disability involves less than five percent of his total or exposed body area, has no characteristics of disfigurement, and does not require intermittent systemic therapy. The Board finds that the evidence of record persuasively weighs against the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis has been granted as the evidence is in approximate balance that it manifested within ten years of her separation from service.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been granted, with a remand required to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and her in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PFB and vertigo have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The gastrointestinal disability, including GERD and viral gastroenteritis, has not been established as related to service or secondary to PTSD-induced weight gain.,Left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right ankle strain are also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the 2022 calendar year is granted because he uses prescribed topical medications to treat his service-connected acne, which causes irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acne, eczema, sinusitis, a headache disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and left ankle disability due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a facial skin disorder, to include PFB, are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for eczema of the face and scalp, as well as GERD, is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain private treatment records from Dr. K., Dr. S., and Dr. A.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including back pain, prostate cancer, depression, bilateral knee pain, and other health issues. The Board granted SMC based on A&A.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including arthritis, osteoporosis, foot drop, neuropathy, difficult gait, and tinea pedis, was incurred during service and continues to this day.