Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinus bradycardia was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a heart condition and thus, the first requirement for establishing service connection has not been met.,An initial 30% rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. The Veteran reported frequent episodes of diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and skin disorder (claimed as PFB) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) disability is rated under Diagnostic Code 7820-7806. The VA examiner determined that the PFB condition was related to his active military service and service connection was granted. However, the examiner did not record the approximate total body area and exposed body area affected by the PFB condition. The Veteran's PFB disability is rated as an infection of the skin not listed elsewhere in the diagnostic codes pertaining to the rating of skin disabilities codified in 38 C.F.R. § 4.118. Remand is warranted for another VA examination to determine the approximate total body area affected by the PFB condition.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor affected 20 to 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, warranting a 30% evaluation from August 2, 2017 forward. The Veteran’s vasomotor rhinitis was productive of less than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passages prior to June 6, 2018 and greater than 50 percent obstruction thereafter.,The Veteran's tinea versicolor warranted a 30% evaluation from August 2, 2017 forward. The Veteran’s vasomotor rhinitis was rated non-compensable prior to June 6, 2018 and increased to 10% thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, spermatocele, and dermatitis due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and TDIU due to his withdrawal of these claims. The right eye disability claim was denied as not related to service, Agent Orange exposure or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left inner ear disorder, right inner ear disorder, tinea pedis with onychomycosis of the feet, and bilateral hearing loss.,There is no current evidence of any diagnosed conditions related to these issues.

The Veteran's petition to reopen previously denied claims for left wrist condition, bilateral ankle tendinitis, and low back condition were granted. The petitions for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disorder, which includes eczema and rashes. The examiner should consider the lay statements regarding symptom onset and continuity.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a new VA examination for his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, a skin disorder related to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam, has been granted. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted and that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chloracne is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed.,Effective date of the 70% anxiety disorder rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement was not timely filed, and therefore denied his appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD, GERD, facial dermatitis, and internal hemorrhoids were all remanded for further evaluation. The appeal in the matter of residuals of a right fourth toe fracture is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for service-connected neurodermatitis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his representative in January 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to orthopedic shoes and insoles was denied because the VA form did not list any service-connected skin condition that caused damage to his outer garments. The Veteran is encouraged to file a new claim if he wants benefits related to medications used for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, bilateral feet issues, OSA, varicose veins, eczema, and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded multiple issues on appeal, including the rating for right hip strain, left knee and ankle strains, left tibia stress fracture, acne (claimed as eczema), anemia, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's dermatitis is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA criteria.,The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome in the right wrist is currently rated at 30 percent and his left wrist is rated at 20 percent. Neither of these ratings meets the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms.