Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient clarification of the examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran’s skin conditions and their relation to his military service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a skin condition, which includes scabies infestation, dermatitis, and a groin rash.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anemia, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as they were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on various service connection claims have been withdrawn.,All issues of increased ratings and TDIU have also been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disorder, psoriasis, did not begin during his active service and is not related to any in-service injury or event. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's psoriasis was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support finding that his low back disability began during active service or was otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. His alopecia areata and Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were also evaluated, with no compensable ratings assigned due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected fungal infections (bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis) have not resulted in a compensable rating as the condition has affected less than 5% of his entire body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy is required.

The Veteran's service-connected nummular eczema (claimed as lichen planus) warrants a higher rating than the noncompensable evaluation currently assigned. The Board finds that the information elicited during the April 2017 VA Skin examination is insufficient for making a determination on the Veteran’s increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions, has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 17, 2009, to January 10, 2013. The Board granted the TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and effective dates related to his service-connected conditions was granted. Service connection for migraine headaches, hypertension, PTSD, folliculitis barbae, small sliding hiatal hernia with aphthous ulcers (claimed as GERD/stomach pains), and left hip strain with osteoarthritis were all established or maintained. Effective dates were set based on the date of claim or entitlement determination.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and development to address the issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral foot condition, headaches, dermatitis, and a claimed sinusitis. The Veteran will be provided with VA medical examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as the claim for increases in staged ratings for atopic dermatitis with PFB due to insufficient reasons or bases provided by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne vulgaris, migraine headaches, vertigo, and seizure disability has been granted. The claims for migraine headaches and vertigo are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service. The claim for seizure disability was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded for an adequate VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for psoriasis due to insufficient development and lack of a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's in-service treatment is related to his current symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that the conditions are not related to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected skin disorder, and a VA examination is needed to assess its current severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's eczema and skin condition were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and tinea pedis, but denied reopening of the claim for morbid obesity with reduced vital capacity. The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, and diabetic nephropathy is rated at 100 percent. The claims for increased ratings are all denied.

The claim for service connection for chloracne as due to herbicide exposure is denied. The claims for service connection for a mental condition, including an anxiety disorder and/or PTSD, also claimed as a substance abuse disorder; degenerative arthritis, including a lower back condition; and a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of February 28, 2011 for the award of service connection for acne. The Veteran submitted a form notification response and statement in support of claim on that same day.