Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral nuclear cataract, left cheek sebaceous hyperplasia, and eczema due to potential service connection issues related to sun exposure.

The Veteran's skin condition, including xerotic eczema and tinea pedis, is not related to his military service, including exposure to toxic herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral blepharoconjunctivitis, which was previously rated at 10 percent, is now granted a 60 percent rating effective from May 13, 2018. The condition has been found to be severe enough to require treatment with immunosuppressants.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for a rating increase from 20% to 40% for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (previously rated as residuals of an L4 fracture) is denied.,The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for a rating increase from 10% to 20% for duodenal ulcer is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for a rating increase for service-connected bursitis of the left hip is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10% for ganglion cyst of the right hand is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for painful limitation of motion of the left ankle is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for residuals of a fractured right middle finger is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for a left ankle condition is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for right hip bursitis is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for atopic dermatitis is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of onset or causation during service.,The Veteran's acne does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to superficial nature and less than 40 percent involvement on face and neck.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability, chronic urticaria with angioedema and tinea pedis, is rated at a 10 percent rating throughout the period on appeal. The Board found that his condition affected approximately 5-20 percent of his total body area without requiring systemic therapy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs have been prescribed for the Veteran's folliculitis. The decision is pending further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and failure to address the Veteran's lay testimony regarding in-service onset of his skin condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's skin condition, including chronic fungal dermatitis, is related to his military service and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

Service connection has been granted for eczema, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, medial epicondylitis of the right elbow, rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee.,The claims for service connection for residuals of Lyme's disease or related infectious disease and a TBI or other impairment of the brain as a result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's skin conditions are related to his active service and any in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and TBI residuals have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis and tinea manus, finding that the Veteran's skin conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip and shoulder conditions, did not render him unemployable prior to December 18, 2020. His education, skills, and work history allowed him to maintain employment despite his physical limitations.