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

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it affects less than 40 percent of exposed areas and does not require constant or near-constant treatment including topical corticosteroids and antihistamines during a 12-month period.

The Veteran's skin disability, which includes pseudofolliculitis barbae and nuchae, is rated at a 10 percent rating. The condition affects the head, face, neck, and back of his head, with persistent acne, blisters, ingrown hairs, and residual scarring covering significant portions of these areas. He uses a topical cream daily to manage his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his skin disorder, foot rash, toenail fungus, eczematous dermatitis, xerosis, morphea, and pityriasis rosea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including prostatitis, memory loss, refractive errors of the eye, wrist condition, sinus bradycardia, hypercholesterolemia, ischemic heart disease, PTSD, sleep apnea, left elbow scar, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right hand middle finger acquired deformity, bilateral peripheral retinal degeneration with dysfunctional tear syndrome and vitreous floaters, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The claims were denied as there was no competent evidence of a service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin disorders (tinea versicolor, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis, and basal cell carcinoma), peripheral neuropathy, and ischemic heart disease were denied as the evidence did not support a direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis, which causes abnormal skin texture and hyperpigmentation in the beard area, meets the criteria for a 30 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's tinea pedis has been treated with topical corticosteroid therapy and does not affect more than one percent of his entire body or exposed areas. His hypertension, however, requires continuous use of medication for control but is not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more prior to May 17, 2014, and does require such criteria thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar stenosis was reopened and denied. His claim for increased rating of tinea pedis and onychomycosis was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for lumbar spondylosis, service connection for bilateral knee disability, and service connection for tinea pedis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the hypertensive cardiovascular disease receiving a 60% rating effective August 6, 2013. The chronic lumbar strain received a 20% rating effective that same date.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a TDIU, arguing that he should have been granted one based on his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds evidence of unemployability due to the service-connected disabilities and remands the case for referral to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the VA Director of the Compensation and Pension Service for adjudication of TDIU eligibility under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's skin disorder, specifically tinea versicolor, was rated at 10 percent prior to September 7, 2010. From September 7, 2010 through June 17, 2012, the rating was increased to 30 percent due to more significant involvement of his skin area. Since then, a 10 percent rating has been maintained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain, bilateral arm eczema, and sympathetic dystrophy with neuritis of the left groin were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of his erectile dysfunction, heart condition, skin disorders, and shin splints are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development.

The Veteran's right lower extremity cellulitis was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and/or radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's skin condition (eczema and seborrheic dermatitis) is found to have its onset during active service, thus granting service connection. However, there is no evidence of a compensable dental disorder for which compensation is payable.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chloracne was denied. The VA examiner found that the current skin condition, including Rosacea, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, claimed as a fungal infection of the chest, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of nexus opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing at the RO. The only issue on appeal is the initial compensable rating for tinea cruris.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and skin condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.