Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for dermatitis with bilateral ingrown toenails (now claimed as MRSA) is being remanded due to the addition of VA medical evidence and changes in representation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a sleep disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disability because there is insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or service-connected left foot eczema and scars.

The Board has found that additional medical opinions are needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for eczema and acne, as well as her claim for service connection for a low back disorder. The VA will need to obtain updated treatment records and provide addendum opinions addressing the symptoms caused by nonservice-connected lichen planus, the medications prescribed for eczema, and whether any current low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PB) is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to the submission of additional VA treatment records. The claims will be reviewed again once these records are obtained.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the receipt of additional VA treatment records, a need for medical opinion regarding kidney cancer, and the absence of an examination for his skin condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hair loss, attributing it to known clinical diagnoses (seborrheic dermatitis and male pattern baldness) that are not related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, specifically eczema of the hands, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to this condition and that any current eczema did not have onset during service. The Board also found that the Veteran’s recent report of having had a hand rash shortly before discharge from service was not credible due to its inconsistency with other contemporaneous lay and medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, dermatophytosis/tinea pedis/onychomycosis, and right eye cataract were granted effective November 28, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected tinea pedis is remanded due to the lack of a recent examination reflecting current symptomatology.

The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis and tinea unguium resulted in symptoms including pain, cracked skin, and peeling. The condition involved less than five percent of the Veteran’s entire body and none of the exposed areas, requiring only topical therapy.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and lumbar spine condition due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's history of Kenalog injection treatments and scarring associated with PFB need to be discussed, as well as the Veteran’s testimony regarding his low-back conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected depression. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA opinion that addresses whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea was incurred in or caused by her active duty service and if it is related to her service-connected depression.,The Board has also remanded the issue of assigning a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected eczema prior to November 30, 2017. The AOJ must obtain VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran’s topical treatments constituted systematic therapy and if her sleep apnea is related to her service-connected depression.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims due to new and material evidence. The hearing loss and tinnitus cases are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis of the feet and hands, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim was also denied for a higher rating for peripheral arterial disease of both lower extremities.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The claim of service connection for psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim of a 30 percent rating for tinea pedis, cruris, corporis (skin disability) from May 5, 2011 to September 12, 2012 was granted. The appeal for a higher rating is denied. Service connection claims for lumbar spine and hip disabilities are remanded.

The Board dismissed the issues of an increased rating for a lumbar disability and service connection for left ulnar neuropathy, as well as the claims for migraine headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, tinnitus, eczema, and reduction of knee ratings. The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn by his representative.