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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The issues regarding effective dates remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and tinea versicolor, chest, back, and crotch are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin conditions, including tinea versicolor, chronic pruritic dermatitis, and eczema, are related to his service. Additionally, the Board found support for a finding of L4 radiculopathy (right lower quadrant disability) being related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical records do not support his allegation that he has had ongoing sleep problems since service.,The Veteran's PFB is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 7806. The condition affects less than 20% of exposed areas and less than 20% of total body surface area.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae has been rated at 30 percent since July 18, 2008. The condition affects approximately 20 to 40 percent of the exposed areas and is managed with topical non-steroidal cream.

The Veteran's left-ear hearing loss and chloracne were not service-connected as the evidence does not show a current disability or link to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain and residuals of a coccyx contusion, granted service connection for a skin disorder (psoriasis and dermatitis), and remanded the issues of service connection for a sleep disorder, a disorder manifested by blackouts, a disorder manifested by dizziness, an eye disorder, residuals of a right ankle sprain, residuals of a right great toe injury, and residuals of a coccyx contusion for additional development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 28, 2009, based on his service-connected PTSD and chloracne.

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

The Veteran's skin condition is being reviewed to determine if it is related to service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange and sun exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a body rash (tinea versicolor) and skin disability affecting the bilateral feet. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin disorders, hypertension, COPD, arthritis of the right ankle, and gout. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PFB scar is productive of pain and warrants a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's eczema has been evaluated as noncompensably disabling since June 1, 2008. The VA examiner found that the Veteran does not currently have eczema and concluded it was less likely than not that he had eczema based on his examination findings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the ratings assigned for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) with facial scars on cheeks and neck, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The Veteran was granted staged ratings for PTSD, but the appeal remains on hold as he has not indicated that any subsequently assigned ratings satisfy his appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and tooth and gum disability have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with fatigue, but the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's ichthyosis is not service-connected, but his tinea pedis and tinea unguinam are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his tinea pedis and tinea unguinam, which reflects the severity of his condition.