Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. The claims for left shoulder, pulmonary, skin (chloracne), and heart disabilities were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not caused by or related to service, and if so, whether it is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU appeal will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has secured and follows a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) has been denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and referred the TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and related disabilities are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for left foot disability, skin disability, seizure disability, hypertension, hepatitis C, herpes, and dental disability are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension, hepatitis C, and herpes are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for herpes and dental disability are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 1, 2006, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PFB is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding his headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to service-connected psoriasis causing irreparable damage to his outer garments is granted. The Board found the evidence in equipoise, with the Veteran's testimony and medical records supporting his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received after the February 2019 statement of the case. The claims will be reviewed by the AOJ for any additional information and then readjudicated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, and for increased ratings for PTSD, traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine; residuals right knee injury; right inguinal hernia; fracture of the left index finger; and tinea versicolor.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for hypertension and a headache disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not established, and additional evidence is needed to determine the nature of his conditions.

The Veteran's PFB necessitates keeping short hairs over face, cheek, and neck areas exceeding six squares inches, comparable in effect to disfigurement from hypo- or hyper-pigmentation of those areas. The Board grants a 10 percent disability rating for his PFB effective October 16, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was granted effective February 2, 2017. The claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility was also granted effective November 28, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's tinea versicolor is related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as a skin disability and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied readjudication of the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea versicolor because VA did not receive new and relevant evidence after the initial AMA rating decision in December 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PFB was denied, and his service connection claim for bilateral lower extremities disorder (claimed as peripheral neuropathy and joint pain) was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PFB or service connection for the claimed disorders.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and psoriasis, including as due to herbicide exposure. The decision found no current disability for psoriasis and that the Veteran's reports of tinnitus were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition. The claims for corneal and nuclear sclerotic changes (blurred vision), arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left elbow, dermatitis (skin rash), erectile dysfunction, and sleep disorder are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), left foot disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a skin disorder due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.