Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, both of which are found to have onset in service. Service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin fungus (tinea pedis), skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is also granted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II requires a restricted diet and regulation of activities but does not require insulin or hospitalizations. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is rated at level I in both ears, resulting in no compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD, headaches, and insomnia are granted service connection. The remaining conditions (tinea pedis, iron deficiency anemia, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, memory loss after surgery during service, peripheral drusen, cataracts, and retina degeneration) have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorder, PTSD, and TDIU claims. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the origins of the Veteran's skin conditions, hypertension, diabetes, and left ankle condition. The Veteran is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a skin condition as a residual of VA treatment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for tinea cruris (claimed as 'jock itch') is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether it is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral pes planus, but granted service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The dyshidrotic eczema of both hands claim was also denied due to insufficient affected area or systemic therapy.

Service connection is denied for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. The skin condition claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that an effective date of October 6, 2015 is assigned for the grants of service connection for major depression with generalized anxiety disorder, eczema, migraines, and a chronic left wrist strain.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his skin condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, dermatitis, and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, and the issue of a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded due to duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's skin disorder, lichen planus, is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to it being caused by VA treatment during a prostate biopsy in December 2012. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral foot disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, including on the bilateral lower extremities, is being remanded due to incomplete examination results.