Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for eczema and voice change disability has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder disability is dismissed as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance of another person due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's psoriasis is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, and a higher rating for this condition is denied.,For his left knee disability prior to March 31, 2021, he was granted a 10 percent rating based on painful motion. Since then, he has been assigned a 20 percent rating due to limitation of flexion. A higher rating for the left knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's skin disability, including eczema and polymorphic light eruption, is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine its etiology. The issue of service connection remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service, but there is insufficient evidence or adequate opinion regarding the specific exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed or denied. The issues of service connection for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, testicular cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and dysthymia) secondary to GERD with Mallory-Weiss Syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's skin condition, including tinea pedis, dyshidrotic eczema, onychomycosis, and dermatitis, had its onset in service. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his request for a DRO hearing was not timely filed, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, pseudofolliculitis barbae, radiculopathy, right lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, right elbow fracture postoperative, and tinnitus, have resulted in the Veteran being unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 25, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's skin condition claim due to insufficient consideration of his testimony and NOD statements in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The VA examiner found that the range of motion was within normal limits and did not result in functional loss.,Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) affects less than 5% of his total body area and exposed areas without requiring topical corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. The Veteran's PFB is rated as noncompensable.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of psoriasis, hepatitis B and C, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's tinea corporis was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but denied a higher rating. The joint pain issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating prior to March 30, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for eczema as the disability did not affect more than topical therapy during either period on appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and ratings, including TDIU and DEA. The Board dismissed the claims as withdrawn by the Veteran.