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

For the initial rating period from April 1, 2011 to November 26, 2019, a higher initial rating of 10 percent for PFB with alopecia is granted.,For the initial rating period after November 26, 2019, a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PFB with alopecia is denied.,A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for the left hand scar is denied.,An initial non-compensable (0%) disability rating for the healed fracture of the navicular bone in the left foot (left ankle disability) remains unchanged.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which includes a current diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma and a history of skin problems during service. The claim is being reconsidered with respect to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential missing VA treatment records and other factors.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for the Veteran's back disability and remanded the pseudofolliculitis claim. The decision is final with respect to these issues.

The Veteran's disability rating for tinea pedis to include tinea unguium was restored from 10 percent to noncompensable effective February 15, 2021. An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected tinea pedis to include tinea unguium is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding no evidence of a current disability or an increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's tinea is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating without visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired set of features. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied a compensable rating for folliculitis. The low back disability is presumed to be due to active duty service, while the folliculitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's skin disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neurological disabilities of the lower extremities due to additional development being required. The claim for skin disability remains inapplicable as it is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is conceded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination, requiring further development and an opinion from a dermatologist.

The Veteran's initial rating for eczema with acne is granted at a 60 percent evaluation. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which includes degenerative disc disease (DDD) and degenerative joint disease (DJD), remains rated at 20 percent. A temporary total rating based on convalescence following an August 11, 2009 service-connected lumbar spine laminectomy is granted from February 12, 2019 to April 12, 2019. Special monthly compensation for statutory housebound status is granted from February 12, 2019 to April 12, 2019. A TDIU from October 11, 2010 is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records, specifically those obtained through VA's Choice program and scanned into the Veteran's electronic health record.