Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, cervical spine condition, and tinea pedis and unguium but denied service connection for earaches, bilateral hearing loss, and vertigo.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. Several conditions were remanded for further development.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for cervical strain, right shoulder strain, left knee strain with shin splints, and right knee strain with shin splints. However, it granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome and a 10 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection was also granted for major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, mild and generalized anxiety disorder (claimed as ADHD) and tinnitus.

The Board is remanding the claim for a new VA examination to address the nature and severity of the Veteran's acne vulgaris, including the January 2020 lay statement.

The Board remands the claim for an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's eczema is related to his active-duty service, including exposure to dry conditions.

The Board granted restoration of the 30 percent disability evaluation for psoriasis and the 10 percent disability evaluation for right knee chondromalacia, effective July 1, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for tinea pedis, left wrist disability, asthmatic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the evidence did not support a finding of a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetic neuropathy secondary to diabetes and throat cancer, and seborrheic dermatitis secondary to diabetes.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches and a compensable evaluation for eczema on the hands and tinea pedis of the feet to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for bilateral hip strain, right shoulder strain, sleep apnea, and an initial compensable disability rating for atopic dermatitis.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected contact dermatitis to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for service connection for various other conditions, as well as increased rating claims.

The Board granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and denied the claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for acne, service connection for migraines, and service connection for a spine condition.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of March 23, 2022, for the grant of service connection for eczema.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for eczema and bilateral flat feet due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically the failure to arrange for VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, among other issues, with specific ratings and effective dates.

The Board granted service connection for dry skin with pseudofolliculitis barbae and denied service connection for color blindness. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and tinnitus, but denied service connection for depression, chronic ear infections, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), acne, arthritis, heart attack, thyroid disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, catarrhal fever (common cold), foot disability, ventral hernia, dental disability, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with bipolar spectrum disorder prior to January 3, 2025.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 9, 2022 for atopic dermatitis and August 30, 2023 for right knee strain, limitation of extension. The claims for earlier effective dates prior to December 13, 2021 for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for left knee meniscal tear and Baker's cyst and a 10 percent rating for left knee meniscal tear and Baker's cyst, limitation of extension were denied.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for a right ankle strain, acne with scars, left foot fracture, right knee tendinopathy, left knee strain, and tinnitus as the first communication from the Veteran to VA evidencing his intent to file claims for these conditions was received on December 5, 2023.