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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for psoriasis vulgaris is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a skin examination.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was rated at 10 percent prior to December 8, 2010. From December 8, 2010 to May 17, 2012, the condition affected more than 40% of his body and warranted a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor and bilateral tinea pedis have been rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's onychomycosis has also been rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the current VA examination is inadequate and additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's skin disability is related to his service. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent disability rating for tinea pedis of both feet, tinea cruris, and bilateral onychomycosis of the toenails is denied as the earliest possible effective date has been granted at the date of receipt of the informal claim for increase on September 8, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea and any current skin disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development before a final decision can be made. The case has been REMANDED for further action, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected acne.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to individual unemployability for further development, including a VA examination and an opinion regarding the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination report and failure to address Veteran's reports of foot problems during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current ear conditions, including dermatitis and otitis externa, are related to his in-service diagnosis of dermatitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for skin moles, eye disorder, prostate disorder, bilateral flat feet, acne disorder, hepatitis A, low back disorder, vocal cord nodes, and bilateral knee disorder were all denied. The RO determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for hepatitis A, low back disorder, vocal cord nodes, and bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's acne rosacea is found to be related to his active military service. The Veteran's polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be related to presumed in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected acne vulgaris, manifested by constant or near-constant systemic treatment with erythromycin, does not warrant a compensable rating as it affects less than 5% of her total body area and exposed areas.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, effective November 9, 2010. The Board has found that the evidence supports a higher rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being held in abeyance pending the adjudication of his service connection claims. The Under Secretary or designee must certify whether the qualifying prosthetic appliance used by the Veteran tends to wear or tear their clothing, or if any medication prescribed for a skin condition causes irreparable damage to their outer garments.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability warrants an increased combined rating of 80 percent for the period prior to October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, and his claims for service connection were based on new evidence received after the one-year period of limitation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea versicolor, obstructive sleep apnea, and a kidney disorder are all granted.