Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been granted, effective January 7, 2015. The other claims have either not met the criteria for reopening or are still pending.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the knees and legs, tendonitis of the knees, a bilateral foot disability, residuals of a cold weather injury (frostbite), skin disorder (eczema), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected conditions, specifically migraines, hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left side tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hemorrhoids associated with IBS.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating and earlier effective date for service connection of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations, as it was asymptomatic and did not cover any percentage of his body or require systemic therapy.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed below.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection. The appeal is also remanded for further examination regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis with rosacea and venous thrombosis right leg, claiming as Burger’s Disease. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral flat feet, unspecified anxiety disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (psychiatric disability), migraine headaches, and kidney disability have been granted. The claim for acne was denied. Effective November 17, 2015, the Veteran is now receiving a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and remanded the issues of service connection for retinopathy of the eyes, neuropathy of upper extremities, and neuropathy of lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for glaucoma, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and bilateral tinea pedis due to the need for additional development. The Veteran needs to provide updated medical records and undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, eye disability, skin disability (pseudofolliculitis barbae), sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, heart disability, COPD, lung disability other than COPD, diabetes mellitus, type II, hernia, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae, but has determined that additional development is needed due to the chronic nature of these conditions. The Veteran needs to be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dermatitis and an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence. The appellant will be provided with examinations to determine if he currently has these conditions, and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion.

The Board restored the Veteran's 60% rating for his skin condition, which had been reduced to 30%. The evidence showed periods of improvement and deterioration in his skin condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The claims for muscle cramps, pseudofolliculitis, and anxiety are denied.

The Veteran's OSA is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,PFB is granted as the Veteran has a current diagnosis and credible statements supporting its onset during basic training.

The Veteran's tinea cruris was granted a 10% rating as of August 24, 2016. The condition affected less than 5% of his total body area and none of his exposed areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he does not qualify for eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment.