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

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no higher ratings warranted due to the lack of evidence supporting more severe limitations such as ankylosis or instability.,Pseudofolliculitis barbae has been rated in accordance with its manifestations, with a 50 percent rating prior to March 20, 2012 and no higher rating since that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anal fissure was denied as he did not have the condition during the pendency of his appeal. The claims for higher initial ratings for left and right CTS, status post left and right wrist fractures, and tinea pedis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for tinea cruris and tinea pedis with onychomycosis was denied. The Board found that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria. Service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as porokeratoses, tinea versicolor, and a rash, is not causally or etiologically related to his service. Therefore, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae covers more than 40 percent of his face and neck, with flare-ups requiring near constant systemic treatment. The Board has granted a rating of 60% for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all claims except for service connection for a psychiatric disability and alcoholism. The remaining claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis and tinea manuum of the right hand are service-connected, with the latter condition found to be secondary to the former.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board and RO have denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, folliculitis, bronchial asthma, and lumbar muscle spasms due to lack of medical evidence establishing a nexus to his period of service.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis is not shown to cover more than 5 percent of the exposed area, cause limitation of motion of the feet, or necessitate intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected nephrolithiasis, eczema, lumbago, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, and osteoarthritis of the left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's skin condition, manifested by psoriasis and eczema, is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects her disability picture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, including tinea versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, and rosacea, was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle pain and tinea pedis are considered service-connected as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with fallen arches and shortening of the ankle tendons.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was first diagnosed and treated during his second period of active duty service. The Board finds that the condition began during this period, and grants service connection for tinea pedis.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for skin disorders, specifically tinea cruris and tinea corporis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of any such diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for tinea pedis and hypertension are being remanded to the RO for further action, including consideration of new evidence and a VA examination.