Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left wrist pain, bilateral knee pain, stomach disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, acquired psychiatric disorder, neck injury, and type II diabetes mellitus. The claims remain denied as new and material evidence was not received for right wrist pain, bilateral leg cramps, and skin disability of the fingers and feet.

The Veteran's dermatitis and sciatica were found to be incurred in service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PFB and a left thumb condition have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for pilonidal cyst. The reduction in the rating assigned for acne vulgaris from 30 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and the Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation of 60 percent for his service-connected acne vulgaris.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including urinary incontinence and hypertension with history of mitral valve prolapse, do not preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of tonsillitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for infectious hepatitis (to include hepatitis C), stomach disability, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) / intestinal condition, chronic otitis, and skin condition were all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.,The Board found that the medical records did not support a higher rating for tonsillitis and that there was no indication of any other conditions warranting a different evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a back disability that was caused by service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for tinea versicolor is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a back disability that was caused by service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed nerve disorder of the feet and lower extremities, arm and hand injury, skin condition (shingles, eczema, or dermatitis), or bilateral eye disability (temporary blindness) due to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran is granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD effective April 4, 2011. The grant of SMC based on housebound status is also granted effective April 4, 2011. TDIU is granted from November 17, 2009 to February 8, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his claimed stressors. He is also seeking an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, allergies, heart disorder, acne, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and tinea cruris have been granted service connection, but the issue of increased rating for PTSD is pending further development. The TDIU claim has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, left thumb disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and right shoulder impingement syndrome were denied as the evidence did not establish service connection due to lack of a diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and color photographs from a June 2014 VA dermatology outpatient visit.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin condition is less likely as not related to, or aggravated by, his military service. The earliest clinical evidence of a skin condition was in 2007, more than 38 years after the Veteran separated from service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin irritation on feet and ankles, finding that new evidence received since the May 2005 rating decision relates to a previously unestablished element of the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnosed tinea pedis and onychomycosis are related to his active service.

The Veteran's skin condition, including pseudofolliculitis barbae with scar, was granted an increased rating. Service connection for a right foot disability secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the percentage of body affected by his service-connected keratolysis exfoliativa and dermatitis, as well as any systemic therapy used.