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

The Veteran's service-connected atopic dermatitis is rated as 60 percent disabling, and he meets the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various foot conditions, including tinea pedis and onychomycosis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.,The Veteran's skin disability has affected less than 40% of the entire body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy is required. Therefore, an evaluation higher than 30 percent is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the issue of whether the Veteran's character of discharge from his period of service is a bar to VA benefits, but the issues of service connection for various conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including a skin examination and an audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of her right leg disability, as well as the issue of TDIU. The current nature and severity of her service-connected condition will be evaluated, and she may need a new VA examination to determine if she is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, right ear hearing loss, and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a cold injury and granted service connection for skin disabilities on the feet due to in-service exposure to elements that created prolonged wetness.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's stomach disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right shoulder condition, Graves disease, knee conditions, COPD, sleep apnea, or chest syndrome to service. The Veteran's GERD was attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's assertion of worsening symptoms and a request for an examination during a period of flare-up.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess her need for aid and attendance and whether she is housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed skin disorders and considering potential SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to assess the severity of his tinea pedis and onychomycosis. The case will be returned to the Board if appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PFB was denied. The effective date of the initial rating for PFB remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his PFB is still under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his service-connected skin condition and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The claims for a rash, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea corporis of the axilla is productive of at least five percent coverage of the entire body, warranting a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and skin condition have been granted increased ratings, with the effective date being from August 24, 2007.

The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and for further examination regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a skin disorder to the feet, diagnosed as tinea pedis and onychomycosis is granted based on his credible statements linking his current condition to his active duty service.