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

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, toenail onychomycosis, athlete's foot, rashes on crotch, chloracne, diabetes mellitus type II, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower and right lower extremity neuropathies, and a left-hand condition. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses for these conditions or any nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings on several service-connected conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's bilateral below the knee amputations are considered to be due, in part, to his service-connected tinea pedis. As such, the claim for special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of both feet is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for any higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for scar, status-post removal of sebaceous cyst is remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and needs further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's skin disabilities, including shingles, and their relationship to his service-connected viral meningitis and recurrent cold sores.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is granted. The cases of a recurrent skin disability (psoriasis) and an arm disability (fracture residuals) are remanded, as well as the initial ratings for prostate cancer residuals and a prostatectomy scar.

Service connection granted for major depressive disorder with anxiety and folliculitis of the scalp due to presumed Agent Orange exposure.,Respiratory disorder service connection issue is remanded.

The Board denied a higher (compensable) initial rating for the service-connected bilateral tinea pedis from November 18, 2013 as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins, ulnar nerve transposition residuals, and psoriasis are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level I in the right ear and no worse than Level I in the left ear. The criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.,The claims for entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition, a right knee condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), onychomycosis (jungle rot), lichen simplex chronicus (skin disorder on the left scalp), and hypertension are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions.,The Veteran's main complaint is effectively reduced hearing acuity and clarity, which is what is contemplated in the rating assigned for bilateral hearing loss. The preponderance of the most probative evidence is against the claim of entitlement to a compensable rating.,For his jungle rot, he reported it started in Taiwan in 1968 and was treated with cream. For the left scalp, he reported receiving cream for it in Thailand and that it would recur. He further indicated that he had a shaving profile for PFB in service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for chronic lumbar strain with minimal degenerative changes has been granted. The claims for service connection for a skin condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for eczema on the hands, neck, and groin is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, soft tissue sarcoma, skin disorder (chloracne), prostate cancer, thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism), testicular cancer, heart disorder (ischemic heart disease), and Parkinson's disease and/or Parkinsonism. The Board found no current disability in these conditions and concluded that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his service on Guam.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a skin disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.