Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected right ear hearing loss. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but malaria is not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's sinusitis was also found to be related to service, but a new VA examination is needed as he testified that his symptoms have increased since his last VA examination in 2014. For tinea pedis (claimed as bilateral foot condition), the Veteran's testimony and in-service records indicate it may be related to service, but another VA examination is required for this issue.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, lesion on back, polyps of the nose, and rib cage mesothelioma. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.

The Veteran's dermatitis was rated as noncompensable prior to June 26, 2015 and at a 30 percent rating from that date. The Veteran has not been granted service connection for hypertension or PTSD.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because the evidence does not establish a relationship between the condition and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted. The hearing loss claim has been denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and neuropathy.

The Veteran's acne has improved and now affects less than 40 percent of her face and neck, with no significant scarring or disfigurement. The current rating of 10% is appropriate given the improvement in her condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg venous insufficiency with chronic venous stasis dermatitis with venous stasis ulcers is related to his military service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on Aid and Attendance/Housebound was dismissed. The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on a total disability rating for a single disability and additional disabilities rated at 60 percent or more due to his combined service-connected disabilities not meeting the required percentage.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for acne and dermatitis with a history of tinea corpus/tinea cruris prior to February 14, 2015 was denied. The Board found that the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7806 were not met for any compensable ratings.

The Veteran's headaches and PFB were found to have started during service, and the Board granted service connection for these conditions. The bilateral knee disability and shin splints are currently under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, upset stomach, nerve disability, swollen eyes, chronic fatigue syndrome, non-typhoid salmonella, shingella, Q-fever, and dry skin, tinea corporis, proximal thighs and left inguinal area are not related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed dermatitis is not related to his service, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents. As a result, the claim for service connection for dermatitis is denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's eczematous dermatitis, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's disability has limited what she could wear to work and involved episodes of itching, which occurred intermittently but came on rapidly up to four times per week. The Board found a separate 10 percent rating for each arm is warranted due to the impact on concentration at work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD, skin condition, bronchitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder (separate from PTSD) are all service-connected. The rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor was rated at 10 percent prior to March 10, 2015 and at 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has been manifested by a skin disorder affecting at least five percent, but less than 20 percent of exposed areas. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met or more nearly approximated.