Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The appeal was denied as untimely and the claims for increased disability rating and service connection were not addressed due to untimeliness. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches/migraines, and sleep disability have been reopened with new evidence submitted.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, but has remanded several issues including service connection for a skin condition (claimed as eczema/folliculitis) and residuals of right hand fracture. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including skin ulcers of the lower extremities and hands, dermatitis, keratosis pilaris, or however diagnosed, are being remanded for further review due to procedural errors and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for acne (face and chest) and migraine headaches due to new evidence suggesting a worsening of these conditions since the last VA examinations in August 2012. The Veteran is required to provide additional information about her treatment, including private records, and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's skin condition and bladder cancer are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional research on the relationship between Agent Orange exposure and these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected eczema did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to November 6, 2018, or on and after November 6, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's use of topical corticosteroids constitutes systemic therapy. The claim will be further evaluated with medical opinion.

The Veteran is precluded from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected PTSD.,The statutory requirements for SMC at the housebound rate prior to August 8, 2017 have been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the use of systemic therapy for the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, which could affect the rating assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for tinea pedis, prostate cancer, and PTSD due to inadequate reasons and bases in the denial of these claims. The Veteran's contentions regarding his exposure during service are not considered by the VA examiners.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected PFB is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a determination on whether it is related to his military service or secondary to PTSD. His respiratory and skin disorders are also remanded, with the need for an addendum opinion regarding their onset in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to asbestos exposure and herbicide exposure have been denied. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a pulmonary disorder due to asbestos exposure, while other claims are stayed pending further action.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as incurred in service.,The Veteran's PTSD is granted as related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's facial seborrheic dermatitis is rated at 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old or new criteria.,The Veteran's left wrist chronic sprain is rated at 10 percent due to painful motion. The examination did not show ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw her appeal regarding scoliosis and whether the disability rating assigned for GERD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The remaining issues, including those related to eczema, cervical strain/cervical radiculopathy, migraines, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, right foot plantar fasciitis/residuals of bunionectomy, and other conditions, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence of record. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, allowing the claim to be reopened. However, further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current skin disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, with the presumption that it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during active duty at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.,The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide agents exposure is granted based on his credible lay statements and military personnel records indicating significant contact with the air base perimeter.