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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder has been reopened. The initial disability rating for bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to December 8, 2019 is granted at 10 percent. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness, fungal dermatitis, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne, finding no evidence of a current disability and noting that the Veteran's rash did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder on the feet, hammertoe, and onychomycosis. The Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that could have caused these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess his eczema and keloid scars. The GERD claim is also referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for tinea cruris and remanded the issue of service connection for asbestosis. The case is now pending with instructions to provide a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed pulmonary/respiratory disability, including asbestosis, is related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for dermatitis and urticaria from 60 to 30 percent, effective January 1, 2020, was proper based on improvement in his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's skin condition, including psoriasis and vitiligo, is being reviewed again as there are conflicting reports of when it started. His nervous system disease (claimed as depression) is also under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been denied, while the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for chronic cephalgia and increased ratings for his knee and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to schedule VA examinations as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including contact dermatitis and dermatophytosis, is granted service connection. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease at L3-L4 and L4-L5 are also granted.

The Board has determined that the cause of death (listed as brain cancer with a contributory cause listed as melanoma) is related to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's psoriasis, which was not service-connected, may have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also notes that VA treatment records from Fort Harrison and Missoula CBOC need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the extent of service-connected PFB and whether any keloid scarring is related to this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues related to his participation in Project SHAD, including exposure to bacillus globigii (BG), betapropiolactone (BPL), and zinc cadmium sulfide. The claims include lung disability, kidney cysts, skin disability, cervical spine disability, low back disability, gastrointestinal disability, and headaches.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for chloracne, diabetes, residuals of colon cancer, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity can be adjudicated.,Specifically, an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to being prescribed chloroquine while serving in Vietnam is needed. Additionally, a VA examination for his peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity must be scheduled.