Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The skin disorder other than the face and scalp remains under review as the VA medical opinion was not obtained.

The Veteran's second period of service from May 1986 to October 1992 was other than honorable (OTH), and his character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits.,Service connection for a pulmonary disability, including asthma and bronchitis, hepatitis C, tinea pedis, right ankle disorder, low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are all denied.

The Board has granted a separate extraschedular rating of 100 percent for psoriasis, effective from the date of death (March 3, 2005), and this rating is in addition to any schedular ratings assigned.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for service-connected pseudo folliculitis barbae (PFB) is granted, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for PFB is denied. Service connection for a heart condition is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's testimony and medical opinions support this determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she is not so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sexual dysfunction (including as secondary to PTSD) and tinea corpora due to conflicting opinions from VA clinicians. The Veteran's sexual dysfunction claim is related to his service-connected PTSD, while the tinea corpora claim requires further clarification regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the original grants of service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, par cervical region; major depression with mood congruent psychotic features; nummular eczema; headaches; and lumbar strain were based on fraud. As a result, these claims have been severed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current skin disorder is related to her service. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's dyshidrotic eczema or any other skin disorder had its clinical onset during service or is related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions, including folliculitis of the right foot. The matter is now for further development.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and sleep apnea were granted service connection. The Veteran was denied a compensable rating for his pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were not conducted as per remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent disability rating for cystic acne vulgaris, effective September 1, 2016, as the reduction was improper due to insufficient evidence of improvement in the condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence regarding the nexus between the claimed conditions and exposure to herbicide agents. The VA is required to obtain updated opinions from medical professionals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for seborrheic dermatitis remains pending and will be remanded to allow for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is also pending and will be remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for PTSD has also been dismissed. A rating in excess of 10 percent for PFB is denied, as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on minimal manifestations. The right shoulder disability remains rated at 20 percent.

A rating of 30 percent for acne is granted prior to July 20, 2019. The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder and knee disorders are denied.

The Veteran's left knee scar was granted a 10 percent rating prior to April 6, 2018 and denied any increase in rating thereafter. A 60 percent rating for total left knee replacement is granted.,Tinea versicolor is rated at 30 percent due to affecting more than 40 percent of the body or exposed areas. The Veteran's tinea versicolor condition is remanded as it may affect greater than 40 percent of his body and exposed areas throughout the appeal period.