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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, OSA, psoriasis, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to insufficient development of evidence. The issues are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and digestive system disability (IBS) are granted service connection. Service connection for sinusitis is denied, and the Veteran's tinea versicolor rating is remanded due to lack of examination addressing flare-ups.

The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis was rated at a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I is rated at 40 percent, acne secondary to diabetes mellitus type I does not warrant a compensable rating, and necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum prior to February 1, 2021, warrants a noncompensable rating. High blood pressure due to diabetes mellitus type I has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's acne, including residual scarring, was incurred in active service and the Board found that it is related to his military service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG (claimed as ischemic heart disease and heart attack), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones), and skin disability, to include chloracne are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Guam.,The Veteran's service connection claim for arterioslerotic heart disease is being granted on a basis other than as pursuant to the PACT Act, with an effective date of August 10, 2022.,The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones) are being granted on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted under the PACT Act, with an effective date of August 10, 2022.,The Veteran's service connection claim for skin disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Guam.,The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones), and skin disability are all being granted on a basis other than as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's narcolepsy is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of need for assistive breathing devices.,The Veteran's verruca vulgaris (warts) are not manifested by scars or disfigurement and do not affect more than 5% of her entire body or exposed areas. She has received intermittent systemic therapy, but the duration was less than six weeks in the past year.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated noncompensable as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7336 due to lack of persistent bleeding and secondary anemia or fissures. The Board finds that remand is necessary to consider whether other diagnostic codes may apply.,The Veteran's acne does not result in any disfigurement or scarring, thus it cannot be rated as a compensable condition under Diagnostic Code 7828.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic contact dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that his condition may have worsened since the last VA examination. The claim must be remanded for additional development including obtaining relevant treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate consideration of a legal precedent and missing Spanish language documents. The Veteran's dermatitis case requires an examination to determine the current severity of his condition, including whether any treatment used is considered systemic therapy.

Your claim for service connection for acne has been granted, and you are now receiving a 30% rating effective March 11, 2013. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been fully granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea is granted. The claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, a right shoulder disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder are denied. The claim for service connection for a skin disorder (dyshidrotic eczema) is remanded. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's skin condition, including tinea pedis and tinea versicolor, is found to be related to his active service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, and onychomycosis. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and medical opinions are obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claim for acne, to include residuals thereof, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding whether her pre-existing acne worsened during active duty service. The issue of secondary service connection for acne as related to PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder will not be considered.