Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for his service-connected skin disabilities in August 2017. The Court found that the Board failed to provide adequate reasons and bases for its findings, particularly regarding non-dermatological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and impaired social functioning due to the skin condition. The Veteran's claim is remanded for further development and compliance with instructions set forth in the October 2018 Joint Motion for Partial Remand.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep disorder, service connection for sleep apnea, initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The RO must consider all submitted evidence before making a decision.

The Veteran was granted service connection for eczematous dermatitis and a rating of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability effective September 11, 2017. He received TDIU beginning that date.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during active service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to service or proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The issues of acid reflux, alopecia, diverticulitis, migraines, athlete’s foot of the right foot, athlete’s foot of the left foot, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, hemorrhoids, right foot heel spur, left foot heel spur, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal in a January 2016 letter, stating he was satisfied with all pending appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues with initial ratings for various disabilities, including acne of the face and back. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating remains pending.

The appeal for service connection for sensitive teeth is dismissed. Service connection for a skin disability is granted. The appeals for right arm fracture residuals and bilateral hand arthritis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the severity of the Veteran's service-connected skin condition. The infertility claim is not granted as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent after December 2, 2014.,Folliculitis of the occipital scalp was granted a rating of 30 percent effective from December 2, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for cardiomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and deviated septum were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these issues.,Tinnitus was granted service connection based on in-service noise exposure and current symptomatology.,An acquired psychiatric disability (depression) was granted service connection due to in-service experiences and post-deployment health re-assessment reports.,Allergic rhinitis was granted service connection based on in-service symptoms and current diagnosis.,Hypertension was granted service connection as it began during active duty, with evidence of elevated blood pressure readings.,Varicocele was granted service connection due to a left varicocele noted at separation and subsequent CT scan showing the condition.,A skin disability (eczema and cellulitis) was granted service connection based on in-service rashes and current diagnosis.,Gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia and diverticulosis) was granted service connection due to symptoms beginning during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis, based on CUE in a prior final rating decision, is being remanded due to inadequate notice of the applicable laws and regulations.

The appeals for service connection for eczema, increased ratings for limitation of right knee and semilunar impairment, and earlier effective dates for assignment of the right knee ratings are dismissed. Service connection is granted for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the unavailability of service treatment records and the need for further verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and rating evaluations. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of bilateral hearing loss, gastric cancer, arrhythmia, high cholesterol, liver cancer, chloracne, and a psychiatric disorder (depression) are being addressed again.

Service connection for dermatitis, left cubital tunnel syndrome, right hip disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral thumb disability, right first toe disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left varicocele, and testicle atrophy has been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, nephrolithiasis with hematuria, right knee iliotibial band syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome, allergic rhinitis, right plantar fasciitis, hyperhidrosis, hemorrhoids, and generalized headaches have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his tinea and left knee disability, as well as potential aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of ruptured right ear drum, bilateral hearing loss (BHL), and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The skin disorder claim is also remanded as it involves herbicide exposure.,A VA examination will be conducted to determine if any current BHL, tinnitus, or residuals of ruptured right ear drum are related to service, including noise exposure during combat. A separate examination will assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for eosinophilia and acne, which were dismissed as a result.

The Board has denied service connection for tinea pedis and migraine headaches, but has remanded the issues of service connection for great right toe disability, great left toe disability, residuals of a right foot fracture, and chest injury. The claim to reopen previously denied asthma is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, eczema of the hands is rated at 0 percent, and PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 2, 2013. The Veteran does not have a service connection theory related to exposure basis or the PACT Act.