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

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Graves' disease is being addressed.

The Veteran's initial ratings for her service-connected conditions were granted and assigned. The rating of 30 percent was maintained for eczema, increased to 30 percent for left knee patella medial/median facet cartilage degeneration with subchondral cyst as of December 15, 2014, and in excess of 30 percent from that date. A compensable rating was granted for status post vocal cord surgery with supraglottis, but not for left shoulder subdeltoid bursitis with posterior-superior impingement, fracture of the fifth left toe, or excision of soft mass tissue and bone fragments from the right foot. The Veteran's nevus of Ito was assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's contact dermatitis and/or tinea pedis of the left foot was incurred during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 24, 2006. The Board has also granted a TDIU for the period from February 18, 2012 to January 2013.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was granted service connection, but his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for psoriasis (previously claimed as skin disorder of the face and dermatitis of the feet) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for folliculitis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The Veteran does not have chloracne but instead has been diagnosed with folliculitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined schedular evaluation of 100 percent, which qualifies him for consideration of TDIU. The Board has granted the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed skin disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a skin condition claimed as chloracne, and his claim was previously reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and hemorrhoids are found to be service-connected. The Veteran's hallux rigidus of the right toe is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to service for his back, left shoulder, and left knee conditions. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between these disabilities and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and has been granted.,The Veteran's hearing loss disability did not manifest in service, within one year of service, and is unrelated to service. The claim for a hearing loss disability is denied.,There is no evidence of head and facial scarring due to service. The claim for head and facial scarring is denied.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris was characterized as deep acne with pus-filled cysts but affected less than 40 percent of his face and neck prior to May 17, 2011. Since May 17, 2011, the Veteran's acne vulgaris has been rated at a maximum 30 percent under the rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae was withdrawn during a videoconference hearing.,The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disorder as there is no evidence that his current sleep apnea disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and right ear hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% disability rating for tinnitus, but the Board found that this did not warrant an increased evaluation. His claims for ischemic heart disease, anxiety disorder, bilateral tinea pedis, and left ear hearing loss are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for TMJ, bilateral foot disorder (plantar fasciitis and pes cavus), and bilateral eye disability. The Veteran's skin condition is not related to her in-service conditions or service. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any of the diagnostic codes pertaining to skin disabilities, and thus denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a clothing allowance is granted. The VAMC Bay Pines will provide the Veteran with an SSOC to address his specific articles of clothing for which he seeks a clothing allowance.