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

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the treatment of the Veteran's dermatitis and eczema, as well as clarification on the use of hydroxyzine.

The Board has found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of solar keratosis and is remanding for an addendum opinion to determine if this condition is related to service. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to new medical evidence and inconsistencies in the record regarding his dermatomyositis, as well as a need for an addendum opinion on whether his GERD is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service or any period of active duty training.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, eczema/sarcoidosis of the skin, a lumbar spine condition, and a pulmonary condition due to outstanding medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dyshidrotic eczema, bilateral hands was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 6, 2019 and a rating in excess of 60 percent from June 6, 2019 onward.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to capsaicin creme and hydrophilic creme in 2016 because these medications were not prescribed for a service-connected skin condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding systemic therapy and hypertension service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for dermatitis of the bilateral feet is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA disability rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea cruris was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to April 15, 2014 and 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 11, 2014 for the award of a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment as of that date.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability of the feet, finding that there is no evidence to support the claim and concluding that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current tinea pedis began in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne was denied as there is no evidence of chloracne in service or within one year following presumed herbicide exposure. The Board remanded the issue of service connection for ischemic (atherosclerotic) heart disease due to lack of verification of Thai military base proximity and potential Vietnam service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic (atherosclerotic) heart disease was remanded for further development, including verifying his alleged exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lower extremity cellulitis with brawny pigmentation of the pre-tibial area with left leg stasis dermatitis prior to November 22, 2019 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter has been denied. The evidence does not show that the condition more nearly approximates more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected, nor did he have constant or near-constant systemic therapy during a 12-month period.

The Veteran's PTSD with poly-substance abuse disorder is rated at 70 percent effective April 21, 2009. His seborrheic dermatitis is rated at 60 percent since December 2, 2013.