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

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement has been withdrawn. The claims for compensable initial ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, right knee strain, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions worsened during active duty. The claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, and tinea corporis remain pending as new evidence was not received to reopen them.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral sacroiliitis have been denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's dermatophytosis (claimed as jungle rot) is currently rated at 10 percent, effective July 24, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of systemic therapy or affected area exceeding 20%.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the tinea or pityriasis versicolor condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Both issues were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinea versicolor but determined that the effective date should remain October 19, 2011.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for tinea pedis from August 28, 2007 to August 27, 2008. The Veteran's claim is denied prior to and subsequent to this period.

The Board finds that the Veteran developed recurrent tinea pedis (athlete's foot) of the feet while on active duty and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis has been rated as 60 percent disabling since the appeal period began, considering it affects more than 40% of his total body area with systemic therapy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral elbow epicondylitis, left hip bursitis, left hand pain, heart murmur, hemorrhoids, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right foot fungus, hyperhidrosis and left arm cubital syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his skin condition of the feet, abdominal scar, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for eczema of the left ear and underarm dermatitis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder with alcohol disorder is granted, and the issues of service connection for macular degeneration (on a new and material basis), hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, skin disorder, onychomycosis, residuals of right index finger disability, and GERD are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a birth defect related to his mother's military service, and therefore, he is not entitled to benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815 for a child born with birth defects.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea cruris, neurodermatitis, and lichen simplex chronicus remains on appeal due to a remand by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case is being returned for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected tinea versicolor and tinea pedis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding his onychomycosis.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, eczema, fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, back disability, and knee disability. The Veteran's claim for diabetes was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the December 2013 denial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions, to address the issues of service connection for a back disorder, increased evaluations for right foot disability, chondromalacia, left knee, residuals of an injury to the right knee, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), as well as TDIU.