Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorders and their relationship to his Gulf War service, toxin exposures, and any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB is granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for acneiform process of the nose, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7828.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 10% evaluation, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for CFS and fibromyalgia has been withdrawn.,Issues related to right foot toe arthritis, left foot toe arthritis, right elbow arthritis, left elbow arthritis, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, left wrist arthritis, and left ankle arthritis have been remanded. The Veteran's claim for IBS was also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction was granted. His claim for increased rating of pseudofolliculitis barbae is also granted, with a staged initial disability rating of 10 percent before October 27, 2021, and greater than 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for right shoulder disability, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin disorder (other than service-connected acrochordon and pseudofolliculitis barbae), left hand disability, and right hand disability. The reasons for remand include obtaining additional medical opinions to address the onset of these conditions during or as a result of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's skin conditions and their relationship to service, particularly his conceded exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination or opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, contact dermatitis, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome was granted.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted on a presumptive basis as a chronic disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and evaluation, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the appellant's service-connected disabilities and her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection, with the Board resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.,For tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing more than 20% body or exposed area affected.,The Veteran's low back disorder, left lower extremity sciatica, right lower extremity sciatica, erectile dysfunction, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are all remanded for further development as VA examinations may be necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,Chronic sinusitis and headaches have been remanded due to lack of evidence showing current disability or in-service event.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for psoriasis (claimed as a skin disorder) and the need for a TERA-specific opinion under the PACT Act.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective December 31, 2012. However, the issues of service connection for hypertension and lumbar spine disorder, as well as evaluations for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right knee instability, and left knee instability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations and because of potential toxic exposure issues.