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

The Veteran's dermatitis of bilateral feet is rated at 30 percent, effective September 3, 2009. His L5-S1 laminectomy residuals are rated at 40 percent from June 29, 2011.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for seborrheic dermatitis is remanded to allow issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC). The rating issue for residuals of mandible fracture remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to address his claims of skin rash disability, chronic pain, and TBI.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis was increased to a 30 percent rating effective August 15, 2008. A separate 10 percent evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is granted from the same date.

The Veteran's psoriasis has been rated as 10 percent disabling since September 8, 2015. The condition affects no exposed areas and none of the total body area, but he used topical corticosteroids intermittently for less than six weeks in a twelve-month period.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant (through his authorized representative) has withdrawn the appeal for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and left foot plantar fasciitis.

The VA determined that the Veteran's staph infection and related conditions are not due to VA medical treatment, but rather pre-existing or unrelated conditions. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The right ankle disability was evaluated as 10 percent prior to January 9, 2013, and 20 percent from that date onwards. Service connection for a lung condition and lumbar spine disability were not established.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent effective July 27, 2007. His acne remained at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's skin disorders were not shown to be related to her military service, and she failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in May 2015. The Board therefore denied the claim of service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate opinion on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral tinea pedis is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical evidence and review the correct standard under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Board has granted a 40 percent initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected left lower leg varicose veins with stasis dermatitis, effective March 9, 2010.

The Veteran seeks a higher rating for his service-connected tinea pedis, which is currently rated as non-compensable. The Board has determined that the current ratings do not adequately reflect the severity of the condition during flare-ups and has therefore remanded the case to allow for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne and anemia, finding no current diagnosis of the conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current skin condition and denied his claim for service connection for psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.

The Veteran's mixed hand and feet dermatitis has required constant or near-constant systemic therapy during the past 12 months, warranting a maximum schedular 60 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis and denied service connection for dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death, listed as acute respiratory failure due to COPD, was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected condition. The appellant's claim for a heart disability in service is unsubstantiated and speculative.