Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence supports this finding.

The Veteran's dermatitis eczema, onychomycosis, and chloracne have been granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 17, 2018. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriatic scalp dermatitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran was provided a VA examination, but the opinion did not address whether he takes systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs for his diagnosed conditions, which is necessary to determine if he qualifies for higher ratings under the new criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the appellant's skin disorder, psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, wrist fracture residuals, and traumatic arthritis. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, finding that his current diagnoses are not related to his military service or any incident therein, including herbicide exposure. The Board noted that there is no evidence of in-service onset and that subsequent manifestations of the same chronic disease did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, headaches, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's right thumb sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's tinea cruris has not required intermittent systemic therapy or affected more than five percent of his body. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis vulgaris and rosacea, finding that there was no evidence of chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne during service. The current skin disorders are not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 25, 2015 for a 60 percent rating for eczematous dermatitis of the upper arms, shoulders, back, chest, and abdomen is remanded due to his contention that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and initial compensable rating for a skin disability, diagnosed as cystic acne, chloracne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and extensive scarring, is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need to review the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for psoriasis, arthritis (including arthritis of the hand, fingers, and right shoulder), and a back disability due to additional evidence being associated with his case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to service. The skin condition is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's respiratory disability claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,A 60 percent initial disability rating for dermatitis is granted, effective July 1, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking ischemic heart disease to his active duty service or presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board also found that other conditions listed did not contribute to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for urethritis, skin disorder, sinusitis, and photophobia due to lack of current diagnoses. The appeals are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's psoriasis does not affect more than 40 percent of his total or exposed body area, and the topical treatment is not administered on a large enough scale to be considered systemic. Therefore, he is not entitled to an increase in disability rating for psoriasis.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from June 12, 2011 to October 19, 2015 due to service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including as due to herbicide agent exposure. The VA medical opinion found no evidence of a current skin disorder related to service and concluded that the condition is less likely caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's PFB with vitiligo, left anterior neck is rated at 10 percent prior to October 15, 2019 and denied for a higher rating thereafter. The condition causes hyperpigmentation and papules on the bearded areas of his face and neck.