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

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals of the determinations in the October 2010 and March 2012 rating decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability, tinea cruris and pseudofolliculitis barbae, has affected less than 20% of the entire body or exposed areas throughout the rating period from October 28, 2009. The current 10 percent disability rating is maintained.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae disability is rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the criteria for reentrance into rehabilitation to the point of employability following a determination of rehabilitation per 38 C.F.R § 21.284(a) are met, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals of a stress fracture of the left heel and obtaining all pertinent VA outpatient treatment records since February 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information and potential SSA disability benefits records. The case will be reviewed after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current dermatitis and onychomycosis are related to his active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and to determine if he has a current diagnosis of sleep apnea. The claims will be reviewed again after these developments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatitis and hemorrhoids began during service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, eczematous dermatitis at staged ratings of 10 and 30 percent, malaria is not compensable, and PTSD warrants a TDIU effective November 12, 2009.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin disability, diagnosed as nummular dermatitis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate her claim.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 23, 2004, for service connection for depression and TDIU were denied as the earliest possible effective date provided by law has already been assigned. The claim for Dependent's Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35 was also denied due to lack of legal merit or entitlement.

The Veteran's undiagnosed illness involving neurological signs and symptoms of the bilateral lower extremities is presumed to be related to service. His skin condition is not considered a presumptive illness.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion and considering all evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 15, 2010, for his service-connected xerosis, dyshidrotic eczema. The appeal was addressed to a higher disability rating and not about the timing of the award.

The Veteran's xerosis with eczema was rated at 30 percent prior to January 19, 2010 and granted a 60 percent rating effective from that date.

The Board finds that the criteria for restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for neck folliculitis with associated neck deformation from May 1, 2008, have not been met. The Veteran's posterior neck folliculitis with associated neck deformation does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the feet, specifically tinea pedis, was found to be incurred in service and granted service connection. The issue regarding hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied entitlement to an initial compensable rating for PFB and denied service connection for a skin condition of the groin. The Veteran's PFB was not present during VA examinations, and he did not have any manifestations of PFB on examination. Therefore, his claim for PFB is denied as there is no evidence of current disability. For the groin issue, the Board found that the Veteran did not incur a skin condition of the groin during or as a result of service.