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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, conduct new examinations for his service-connected disabilities, and determine the etiology of any diabetes mellitus. The TDIU claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration.

The Veteran's skin disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to be incurred in service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's skin disorder had its onset in service and has continued since then, granting service connection for a skin disorder.

The Veteran's eczema has been rated at a 60 percent disability rating since the entire appellate time period, as it required constant or near-constant use of topical corticosteroids.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, diabetes, skin disorder, urinary tract disorder, TBI residuals, headaches, and lumbar spine strain. The decision found that new evidence did not warrant reopening the claim for hearing loss, while other claims were denied based on lack of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor has been rated at 30 percent since February 26, 2010. The Board found that the condition involved more than 20% of his total body surface area and granted a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed skin disabilities, including tinea pedis and skin abscesses. The VA examiner will be asked to consider Dr. K.'s opinion regarding the onset of tinea pedis during service.

The Veteran's skin disorder, other than tinea cruris (psoriasis), was not incurred during service and is not otherwise related to active service. Service connection for tinea cruris has already been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psoriasis was not incurred or aggravated during his active service, and there is no evidence linking it to exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and tinea unguium are currently rated by analogy to dermatitis, with the condition affecting less than 5% of his total body or exposed areas. As such, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for sleep apnea, but denied for other conditions. The Veteran's left shoulder strain was not found to be related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected dyshidrotic eczema and whether systemic therapy is needed. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating from 60 to 30 percent was not proper because there was no evidence showing an improvement in the Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acne vulgaris of the face had its onset during active service and is presumed to have existed prior to service. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection as his acne vulgaris did not worsen beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected dermatitis of the hands and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, while these disabilities are in their active stages. The increased rating claims will be readjudicated after any necessary development.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for refractive error is dismissed as he has withdrawn his request for this matter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his right long and ring finger fractures and bilateral tinea pedis disabilities. The appeal is also remanded for a VA examination to determine if any current knee disability is due to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of substantial gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disorder, fractured nose with deviated septum, and tinea pedis. The evidence did not establish that these conditions rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for 2015, finding that he did not meet the criteria as his service-connected disabilities do not cause wear and tear on his clothing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received within one year of the May 2004 rating decision, thus keeping it from becoming final. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition is now addressed.