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

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has been granted with a 10% evaluation, and he is also entitled to separate evaluations of 10% each for his inguinal hernia and the scar from his inguinal hernia surgery. The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (scarring) has been granted with a 30% evaluation based on disfigurement of the face and head.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was not shown during service or until many years after discharge, and there is no evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that direct service connection cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psoriasis is a continuation of the condition previously diagnosed as seborrheic dermatitis in service, and thus finds that it was incurred in service. As such, the appeal for service connection for psoriasis is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and bilateral eye disability were granted. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to January 16, 2015 was also granted.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the bilateral small toes have been rated as noncompensable, but a 10% rating is granted for these conditions based on their impact on exposed areas of his feet.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, including as due to service-connected residuals of a right wrist disability. The Veteran's acne was not granted a compensable rating prior to February 3, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for his septorhinoplasty residuals due to VA negligence in 1989 was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinea pedis and ingrown toenails did not result from disease or injury incurred in service, nor were they caused by her service-connected eczema. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for ingrown toenails and tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and onychomycosis or tinea unguium (fungus of the toenails). The Veteran does not have a current disability of either knee, nor is there evidence to support a finding that any current knee disability resulted from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service. Service connection for PTSD has been denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence. The sebaceous cyst on the forehead was found not to be related to service.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disorder, effective from March 31, 2015. The decision also found service connection for right leg radiculopathy secondary to the low back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, to include chloracne, is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis has been rated at 10 percent since the onset of service and increased to 60 percent effective October 23, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea was incurred in service and is related to his symptoms during service.,Service connection for PFB, thyroid disorder, and sinus disorder are pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for mitral valve prolapse, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and alopecia areata were granted. His claim for an initial compensable rating for residual scarring from a right ring finger cyst removal was also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, finding that it was aggravated during active service. The remaining issues of service connection for psychiatric disability, skin disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral flat feet are remanded.

The Veteran's nummular eczema was initially granted with a zero percent rating, which was increased to 60 percent effective April 26, 2012. The RO later changed the effective date of the 60 percent rating to May 30, 2015.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst is not rated as compensable. The Veteran's tinea versicolor was rated at 60 percent beginning April 6, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a perforated tympanic membrane and asthma have been granted. The Veteran has been awarded service connection for the residuals of his in-service ear injuries, including eczema of the right ear canal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 5, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.