Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinea pedis, and hypertension as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for IBS and the rating claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae with residual scarring. The appeal is also remanded to determine if combining the separate disabilities of pseudofolliculitis barbae and scars to the face associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae was proper.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his acne vulgaris and follicular occlusion triad conditions, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a new medical opinion to differentiate between the symptoms of these conditions.

The Veteran's right leg disabilities were awarded effective November 3, 2022. The VA Regional Office also granted TDIU benefits effective August 8, 2017.

The Veteran's eczema is found to have onset in service and is related to her active military service.,There is no current residual disability from the tonsillectomy, and thus service connection for residuals of tonsillectomy is denied.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is remanded as there is insufficient evidence addressing direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's PCOS is found to be not related to her service-connected asthma. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether obesity acts as an intermediate step between the service-connected asthma and PCOS.,Service connection for PCOS remains remanded.

The Veteran's PFB has been rated at 30 percent, the maximum non-compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7806 for skin disabilities. The condition is characterized by disfigurement with hypo-or hyper-pigmentation and abnormal skin texture.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service connected. The claims for erectile dysfunction, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, and right elbow lateral epicondylitis are remanded.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and GERD have been granted increased ratings, but the service connection for tinea versicolor has been remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of obstruction or polyps. The GERD was rated at 30 percent based on symptoms and treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to January 10, 2020. The Board is remanding the case to refer it to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including scalp fungus and seborrheic dermatitis, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was not present for an examination scheduled in July 2024, and he is asked to provide any relevant evidence or submit it directly.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the most probative evidence showing Level I hearing acuity in both ears.,The Veteran's right ear scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7800 due to lack of one characteristic of disfigurement.,The Veteran's skin rash / eczema is rated as noncompensable, with the most probative evidence showing intermittent topical therapy and no systemic therapy required over the past 12 months.

The Veteran's petition to restore the rating for chronic laceration residuals at the right lower extremity was granted. Service connection was established for a left ankle disorder, but denied for bilateral hearing loss and various finger conditions. The reduction in ratings for these conditions did not affect overall disability benefits.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is manifested by characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent of the scalp and warrants a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin condition, including pseudofolliculitis barbae. The AOJ should schedule the Veteran for such an examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, heart disability, residuals of head and face injury, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), chronic stomach disability, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, and sleep disorder.