Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The appeal with respect to the determination that a duty to assist error has been identified during the higher-level review for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a left hip disability, GERD, and dermatitis. The claims for a bowel disability and obstructive sleep apnea were denied. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1, right shoulder condition, right elbow conditions, left knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear, postmenopausal acne, and surgical scars of the lower back and right elbow. However, a 60 percent rating was granted for hypothyroidism prior to July 8, 2024, and TDIU from July 30, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and psoriasis, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, a 30 percent rating for giardia lamblia, and a 30 percent rating for tinea versicolor. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also granted from February 15, 2019.

The veteran withdrew her appeal for all issues, including service connection and increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, granting a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeal for service connection for dermatophytosis (tinea pedis) was dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to file a timely appeal within one year of the November 2017 rating decision.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for sleep apnea and nummular dermatitis, eczema, but denied a higher disability rating for left foot metatarsalgia fracture, with Morton's neuroma, hammer toes, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, pes planus and degenerative arthritis, and an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea.

The Board denied increased ratings for psoriasis and knee disabilities but granted a 60% rating from May 4, 2022, and 20% ratings from March 30, 2022, to May 4, 2022, for the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board granted an effective date of July 11, 2022, for a 30 percent rating for IBS with GERD and August 20, 2009, for a 10 percent rating for left wrist tendonitis. The claims for earlier effective dates for the 60 percent rating for psoriasis and 10 percent rating for right wrist tendonitis were denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss, eczema, and foot pain as the appeal was not timely filed.

The Board denied service connection for depression, PTSD, Raynaud's disease, a bladder condition, a digestive disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, acne, left hip strain, and left knee strain as there was no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions with an effective date of February 1, 2023, but remanded other issues related to initial disability ratings and new claims.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinea pedis, granted a 10 percent disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and remanded claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral metatarsalgia foot pain, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for eczema to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology, considering the Veteran's reported onset and toxic exposure risk activities during service.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, a skin disability (tinea pedis), and rhinitis. Service connection was denied for sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, shortness of breath, and an anxiety condition.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal, and the Board dismissed all issues on appeal.