Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected eczema and denied his request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for eczema.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin condition. The examinations will address whether these conditions are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ADD and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for skin disability are denied. The claim for a higher rating for skin disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis, as it relates to his service-connected PTSD and/or multiple sclerosis. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to the ratings for allergic conjunctivitis, supraventricular arrhythmia with sick sinus syndrome, residual painful scarring from a pacemaker implantation, and eczema. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left little finger disability is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran’s right thumb injury, TBI, tinea versicolor, eye injury, right leg injury, prostatitis, back injury, residuals of deviated septum surgery, sleep apnea, and bronchitis are related to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and chloracne. The issues are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for gout of multiple joints, a scalp cyst, and PFB/folliculitis. The Veteran's claims are pending as the records confirming his periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA in the Navy Reserve have not been obtained. Additionally, he needs a VA examination with an appropriate specialist to address the onset and causation of gout, and another with a dermatologist to assess the severity of his service-connected skin conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis and left knee disorder are remanded due to incomplete examination reports. The issues will be reconsidered after a new examination is conducted.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris with moderate scarring and slight disfigurement of the face is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted, including obtaining records from his private doctor and conducting a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for tinea cruris, back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, and fibromyalgia. Service connection was granted for shortness of breath.

The Board has granted service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) and remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids with fistulas and surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates and higher disability evaluations for his service-connected dyshidrotic eczema and major depressive disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct new examinations, and determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea manuum was denied as there is no legal basis to establish such an effective date prior to January 15, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for mitral valve disease/stenosis was denied, but he was granted a 60 percent rating as of July 7, 2015. The issue of TDIU prior to April 7, 2014 is referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services.

The Veteran's bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to the grant of a clothing allowance for calendar years 2013 and 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not support a finding of service connection for his claimed cardiovascular disorder, skin disorder, or erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and psoriasis.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD with Anxiety and remanded the issues of service connection for chloracne on face, chest, and back, as well as DDD of the thoracolumbar spine.