Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's photo induced dermatitis/ polymorphous light eruption, effective from throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral venous insufficiency, stasis dermatitis, and TDIU due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's skin condition was initially denied a compensable rating prior to May 8, 2019. After that date, he received a 10 percent rating for his pseudofolliculitis barbae with two painful scars. The left knee LCL and patellofemoral pain syndrome secondary issues were also remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30% rating for dermatitis, effective December 1, 2018, as the reduction was improper and did not show sustained material improvement.

The petition to reopen claims for various conditions, including sleep apnea and hemorrhoids, is granted. The issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell trait is denied as the condition is a congenital defect and not subject to VA compensation.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied because the Veteran does not have a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for upper back disability, PFB, asthma, and bilateral eye disability are all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 11, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to April 9, 2018 and dismissed from that date onwards due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent. The SMC based on housebound status is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot skin condition, including tinea pedis, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, and fifth metacarpal injury of the right hand did not have their onset in service or are not related to service.,The Veteran's low back disorder did not have its onset in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service or an incident of service origin.,The Veteran's right knee disorder did not have its onset in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service or an incident of service origin.,Due to the Veteran's failure to report for examinations, there is insufficient evidence to establish that his obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or a service-connected condition, or whether it represents an undiagnosed illness that cannot be attributed to a known clinical diagnosis.,The Veteran's acne keloidalis did not have its onset in service.,The Veteran's alopecia areata did not have its onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is granted. Service connection for anal fissure is denied. A 10% disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted, and the claim for a compensable rating for tinea pedis remains denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for left foot plantar wart and bilateral pes cavus. The claims are remanded for additional development regarding respiratory disorder, pharyngitis, dermatitis, psoriasis, left foot disability, and right foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the AC joint of the left shoulder, PFB, and a low back disability. The conditions are considered direct service connections based on evidence showing their onset during active duty.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis, psoriasis, and sebaceous cyst on back with post-surgical scar as she withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis with bilateral tinea pedis and residuals of left hand 2nd metacarpal fracture due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for medical examinations and etiology opinions regarding his pituitary tumor, skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for left wrist ganglion cyst, acne, tinnitus, iron deficiency microcystic anemia, fatigue (claimed as tiredness), and psychiatric disorder to obtain additional information from the Veteran's service personnel records and to schedule a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not shown to be causally related to an in-service event.,The Veteran's psoriasis may have worsened since the last examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine its current nature and severity.,Spinal stenosis, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and glaucoma are all potentially related to herbicide exposure during service. Further evaluation is required to establish a connection.,COPD and pulmonary fibrosis may be related to the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate these conditions.,Pulmonary fibrosis and COPD are both related to the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. Further evaluation is required to establish a connection.,Glaucoma is not service-connected as it may be due to refractive error, which cannot be subject to herbicide exposure presumption.,Obstructive sleep apnea is inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claims for COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. These claims must be remanded first.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, GERD, thyroid disorder, fibromyalgia, cholecystitis, skin disorders, and joint issues is granted. The decision also remands the claims for an eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and other related secondary service connection claims.

The Board has withdrawn the issues of service connection for chloracne, effective date prior to February 28, 2013, for a 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, and increased ratings for erectile dysfunction (ED), coronary artery disease (CAD) with myocardial infarction (MI) and status post coronary bypass surgery, acne vulgaris with scarring, and DM. The issues of initial compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (LUE), right (major) upper extremity (RUE), left (minor) lower extremity (LLE), and right lower extremity (RLE) have been remanded.