Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for cellulitis of the right foot and tinea pedis is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for esophageal disorder secondary to his service-connected helicobacter pylori infection, but remands for further examination regarding intermittent memory loss, liver disorder (claimed as fatty liver), and neurological symptoms (claimed as bilateral hand numbness).

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's skin disabilities, finding that they were not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's dermatitis and obstructive sleep apnea are both granted, with the dermatitis being considered a continuation of a condition noted in service. The eye disability other than the right cornea is denied.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 30 percent rating for PFB from February 1, 2016 is granted. The initial 30 percent rating was assigned in August 2015 and the reduction to noncompensable was based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a left foot disability to include plantar fasciitis and tinea pedis, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of COPD or any other respiratory condition, and that the Veteran did not have an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the evidence, including lack of recent VA examinations and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA Form 21-8940 upon remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea, hernia inguinal as secondary to external hemorrhoids with pruritus ani, and chronic sinusitis are being remanded.,Special monthly compensation based on loss of use is granted effective October 7, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea pedis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for his acne keloidalis with folliculitis of the occipital scalp, pseudofolliculitis barbae, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches has been reopened and is being remanded. The claims for PFB, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral foot tinea pedis are also being remanded.

The Veteran's skin condition, tinea versicolor, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, initial compensable rating for eczema prior to March 29, 2018, and higher initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with separate 10 percent ratings assigned for radiculopathy of both the right and left lower extremities are remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of increased ratings for psoriatic scalp dermatitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in August 2019. The Veteran was sent multiple correspondences regarding the VA examinations, but did not contact VA about them.

The Veteran's cystic acne has been rated at 30 percent since October 2011. The Board found that the condition required near-constant systemic treatment with doxycycline, and granted a rating of 60 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral cellulitis of the lower extremities and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral eczema of the hands are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied an initial compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis was also rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating.,For degenerative joint disease of the left first metacarpal, the Veteran is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,Regarding hypertension, the Veteran does not have service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected dyshidrotic eczema. The issues of TDIU and nonservice-connected pension are remanded.

Service connection is granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae. Service connection is denied for hemorrhoids, disorder related to an in-service PPD test, and right ankle disorder. The claim for TBI remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and a compensable rating for tinea pedis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of in-service exposure to asbestos or herbicide agents, and concluded that the current diagnoses were not related to service.