Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and eczema were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for eczema, but his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of double lung pneumonia were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disability or in-service injury.,The Veteran was granted new and material evidence to reopen his claims for tinnitus and recurrent tinea cruris, both likely attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis began during his service in the Persian Gulf War, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for folliculitis and denied service connection for a carbuncle. The Veteran's claim for bilateral knee disability is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination by a dermatologist to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin condition. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his skin disorder that he believes may have started during military service and is related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin disorder and finds no nexus between any diagnosed skin disorders and service, including exposure to herbicides. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acne with residual scars does not warrant an initial compensable rating as it is superficial and does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's dental bone loss claim has been withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for contact dermatitis and hemorrhoids have both been established.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea with upper respiratory airway resistance syndrome, excessive weight loss/fluctuation, eczema, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's PFB is rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied his claim for a higher rating. The claims of reopening service connection for right knee chondromalacia and lumbar spine arthritis were also denied.

The Veteran's hyperpigmentation of the face and neck, right knee disorder, and back pain are all found to be related to his service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB). The heart disorder and hypertension were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including candidiasis of the groin, seborrhea dermatitis of the scalp, and tinea versicolor of the back, had its onset in service and has continued since then. The Board finds that the Veteran's account of symptoms is credible and competent evidence of an ongoing skin disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA vocational specialist and associating his Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services folder with the file.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with scars is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity and effects of his disability as contemplated by the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected nasal pharyngitis with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has resulted in episodes of sinusitis requiring antibiotic treatment, but not radical surgery or repeated surgeries. His COPD and asthma are aggravated by his service-connected nasal condition. The Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation for his nasal condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents and other conditions not related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for acne is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his condition, as well as the potential aggravation during military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, diabetes mellitus, type II, and various orthopedic conditions. The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as an inadequate examination. The appellant's skin disorder is being evaluated again with a new examination.