Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran seeks an initial compensable rating for nummular eczema, which was granted in November 2008. The RO increased the rating to 60 percent effective April 26, 2012. However, the issue remains in appellate status as a higher rating was not assigned from the date of service connection nor did the Veteran withdraw his appeal. The case is now remanded for additional evidentiary development and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraine headaches, asthma, lumbosacral strain, right quadriceps strain, hemorrhoids, left bunion with pes planus, and other conditions. The claims are being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PFB was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for a skin condition diagnosed as pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include reopening service connection claims and seeking higher ratings for various conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 60 percent rating for service-connected tinea versicolor of the arms, shoulders, back and chest, effective from September 1, 2012.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is manifested by four characteristics of disfigurement and warrants a 50 percent evaluation.

For the entire initial rating period, tinea pedis and onychomycosis have been manifested by redness and breakdown of the skin that itches affecting less than five percent of the Veteran's entire body and none of the exposed areas. The disability does not require systemic therapy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with a 30 percent rating effective January 9, 2008.,Service connection was also established for obstructive sleep apnea and the Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the cumulative effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's death was due to nonservice-connected causes and he was buried in a private plot. The appellant is granted burial benefits and a plot or interment allowance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his skin disability and a TDIU was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lung disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, anemia, eczema (skin condition), and hairy cell leukemia. The decision also addressed his PTSD claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected dermatitis of the hands and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, claustrophobia, and dyshidrotic eczema were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were terminated as he was found to be rehabilitated after securing employment with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) as a Hospital Service Officer. The Board denied the claim for additional VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment effective June 26, 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board found that there is no evidence showing bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus were incurred in service, and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a recurrent skin disorder, including rashes, dermatitis, and tinea versicolor. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis, which involved more than 40 percent of her total body area and required constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, has been granted an initial 60 percent rating from November 1, 2010 through February 18, 2014.