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

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea versicolor was denied as the extent of affected body areas did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's increased disability rating claim for tinea versicolor was withdrawn.,Effective from April 5, 2011, the Veteran is granted a 50 percent disability rating for headaches.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, by any limitation of extension, or by instability or recurrent subluxation.,For the period prior to November 20, 2012, the skin disability was treated with topical corticosteroids and affected less than 5 percent of the Veteran's total body surface and less than five percent of the exposed area. For the period from November 20, 2012, the skin disability was treated with topical corticosteroids and affected at most five to 19 percent of the Veteran's total body surface and less than five percent of the exposed area.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as his requests for SMC and TDIU. The issues of higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy were not addressed.

The Veteran's GERD with dyspepsia and gastritis, with Barrett's esophagus status post duodenal ulcer is rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7307 for chronic hypertrophic gastritis.,The Veteran's tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7806 for dermatitis or eczema.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of in-service or post-service exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic skin rash during service and his current tinea pedis does not appear to be related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis was denied as there is no evidence of in-service or post-service exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition is less likely due to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for psoriasis (previously rated as rosacea). The Board dismisses the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for additional vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits to support gunsmith training has been denied as the evidence does not show that further independent training is necessary for him to obtain or maintain entry level employment in his chosen area.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's case requires further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of his right shoulder disability and skin disabilities. The Veteran is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including folliculitis and chloracne with facial scarring, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection for obstructive sleep apnea established and increased ratings for PTSD, asthma, right shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals, seborrheic dermatitis, and hypertension. The Veteran is also granted TDIU as of August 28, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disability, including tinea cruris and tinea corporis, is not related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied as he failed to report for VA examinations without good cause.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied, as his combined disability evaluation did not meet the minimum percentage requirements.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is not manifested by any limitation of motion, muscle spasm, ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician. The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss disability that was incurred in service.,There is no evidence showing that the current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is related to the Veteran's active military service or had its onset in the first post-service year.,The probative evidence of record shows that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his active military service and is more likely due to his nonservice-connected hearing loss.,The probative evidence does not show a relationship between the Veteran's nummular dermatitis and service. The condition was present prior to service and no increase in severity during service has been shown.,The pre-existing nasal obstruction did not increase in severity during service, and the surgery conducted during service helped to correct and ameliorate the pre-existing nasal obstruction resulting in improved breathing; no resulting disability is shown.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to clarify whether he has used qualifying systemic therapy involving the use of corticosteroids, as this could affect his current rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's skin disability, including recurrent folliculitis and cysts of the right ear lobe, is related to his service, particularly as secondary to his service-connected bilateral otitis externa. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's dermatitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not involve more than 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, nor was systemic therapy required.