Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's PFB and stomach disability are being remanded for further evaluation due to the complexity of his symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis was initially rated at 10 percent prior to November 5, 2007. From November 5, 2007, to May 21, 2010, the Veteran is entitled to a 60 percent rating for his condition. The Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for acne keloidalis of the scalp and nape of neck is remanded due to uncertainty about whether his topical medication constitutes systemic therapy.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness and tingling of the right foot, numbness and tingling of the left foot, and a skin disability (including dermatitis, eczema, jungle rot), all related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The skin disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current skin conditions to his active duty service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased ratings were denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the year prior to April 26, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his right knee instability.

The Board has not properly addressed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability affecting the scalp, as it did not comply with previous remand directives regarding the need to provide an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's folliculitis and whether it is related to service or exposure to Agent Orange. The case is being remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and low back disability. The low back disability case is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or rhinitis for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection for these conditions. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for rhinitis is also denied. Dermatitis and urticaria are found to be related, with the examiner's opinion needed on whether urticaria is proximately due to or aggravated by dermatitis. TDIU is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations for each of the claimed conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims for a left thigh disorder and hypertension are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. His claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the cases of pituitary gland dysfunction, thyroid nodule, residuals from stroke, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), and chloracne for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to incomplete medical records and potential exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection for a skin disability (including acne or chloracne) and hypertension is granted. The initial rating over 20 percent for his left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and/or due to being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII and a skin condition, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to his service-connected DMII, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, an initial compensable rating for PFB, and a higher rating for lumbosacral strain were denied. The claim for service connection for TBI was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and readjudication due to procedural errors, lack of proper examinations, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board granted a disability rating of 60 percent for service-connected seborrheic dermatitis with rosacea from April 14, 2008 to December 8, 2008, and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the same condition during other periods.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder strain with partial labral tear are granted service connection as they were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for OSA is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset. Service connection for celiac disease and psoriasis is also remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD, along with his skin condition affecting his feet, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.