Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder on the feet, hammertoe, and onychomycosis. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There was no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed foot disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to schedule VA examinations as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been denied, but the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for chronic cephalgia.

The Board has determined that the cause of death (listed as brain cancer with a contributory cause listed as melanoma) is related to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's psoriasis, which was not service-connected, may have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also notes that VA treatment records from Fort Harrison and Missoula CBOC need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's skin condition, including psoriasis and vitiligo, is being reviewed again as there are conflicting reports of when it started. His nervous system disease (claimed as depression) is also under review.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including contact dermatitis and dermatophytosis, is granted service connection. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease at L3-L4 and L4-L5 are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and assistance or housebound status has been denied because his service-connected condition does not meet the criteria for SMC at either the aid and attendance rate or the housebound rate.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including acne, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion.,The Veteran's heart disorder (including non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial flutter and congestive heart failure) is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion regarding its relationship to hypertension.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for eczema was granted, with the effective date beginning April 3, 2013 and ending February 2, 2017. The current rating of 10% is continued thereafter.

The Veteran's appeals for right ear hearing loss, allergies, viral syndrome, chloracne, bilateral knee disability, PFB, lumbar spine disability, and left hip disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthropathy. The skin condition claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability was denied, and the Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the percentage requirements.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for seborrheic dermatitis prior to April 12, 2016 and in excess of 30 percent from April 12, 2016 to November 29, 2019, and in excess of 60 percent from November 29, 2019. The appellant's seborrheic dermatitis was rated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 10% rating, but no greater. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and foot discoloration.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for PFB was denied, and his claim for a higher rating after August 6, 2019, was also denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not support an initial compensable rating prior to August 6, 2019, or any rating higher than 10 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity can be adjudicated.,The Veteran's hypertension may not have been related to his exposure to herbicide agents, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues related to his participation in Project SHAD, including exposure to bacillus globigii (BG), betapropiolactone (BPL), and zinc cadmium sulfide. The claims include lung disability, kidney cysts, skin disability, cervical spine disability, low back disability, gastrointestinal disability, and headaches.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied as his skin disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the extent of service-connected PFB and whether any keloid scarring is related to this condition.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy all claimed as due to herbicide exposure.