Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for a back disability is granted. Service connection for seborrheic dermatitis is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the appellant's psoriasis and related conditions, specifically regarding the nature of his topical corticosteroid treatments.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, a higher skin disability rating, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound, and TDIU are all remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has restored a 50% rating for the Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp and face with psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia of the neck, effective from the date of reduction.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for acne dermatitis is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining post-service medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's chloracne is granted as service connected due to presumed herbicide exposure. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is denied.

The Board has added new medical evidence to the record since the last decision, which includes treatment records for PFB and potential interference with employment. The case is being remanded to readjudicate the issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for PFB.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to provide written notice of consequences for not attending a scheduled VA examination. The Veteran must be provided another VA examination to determine the etiology of his skin disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability caused irreparable damage to his outer garments, warranting a clothing allowance for the topical skin medication selenium sulfide 2.5 percent in 2017.

The Veteran's use of steroid creams for his service-connected eczema does not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments, thus denying the clothing allowance claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, miliaria (chloracne), thyroid condition, heart condition, bilateral foot condition, abnormal toenail condition, and abnormal skin growth. The decision also noted that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was not addressed as it pertained to an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's skin and back disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and heart condition due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a skin disability as his current folliculitis does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea corporis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant such a rating and remanded the case to obtain VA treatment records from VAMC Long Beach and to provide the Veteran with an examination to determine if his hypertension is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for umbilical hernia, headaches, upper airway resistance syndrome, and tinea versicolor are remanded due to inadequate examinations and need for updated medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disability rating for herniation of cervical spine should be restored to 30 percent, effective December 31, 2016. The ratings for myositis of right hip with exostosis of right ilium and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is also remanded.

The claim for service connection for skin rash other than PFB is reopened, and the claims for left knee disorder and increased rating for PFB are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, have rendered him unemployable and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, a digestive disorder (diverticulosis), and dermatitis have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after discharge.,Service connection cannot be granted because the medical evidence does not establish that any of these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae condition has not resulted in disfigurement of the head, face, or neck with visible or palpable tissue loss, gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets of features, or four or more characteristics of disfigurement. The disability does not encompass more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected and does not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy.