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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral interstitial fibrosis and PTSD, did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 6, 2012.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development, including consideration of new evidence and a VA examination. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this additional review.

The VA determined that the appellant did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not be presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. The Board also found no evidence of a current disability related to service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy, as there is no indication it was incurred during service.,Regarding psoriasis, while the appellant has a current diagnosis, the record does not establish that his condition is linked to service.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 30 percent since May 6, 2016. The condition affects 20 to 40 percent of exposed body area and does not require systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's skin disorder of the feet, specifically tinea pedis with onychomycosis, is found to have its onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education, training and work experience. The Board finds the Veteran experienced symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea during service and that his current sleep apnea condition has been determined to be related to sleep issues suffered in service.

The Veteran's current tension headaches, right leg folliculitis, and right elbow tendonitis were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board finds no nexus between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinea pedis is granted as the Board finds that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran, and his current condition is linked to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claimed hypertension, skin disorder (rash of the feet, hands, and face), and Bell's palsy were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn all appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and seborrheic dermatitis, effectively dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the groin and feet is service-connected, but his irritable bowel syndrome remains denied.,The VA examiner found no evidence of a chronic skin disability during active service. However, the Veteran was diagnosed with tinea pedis and tinea corporis in 2010.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of any higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and improper reduction of her disability rating, finding that she was not entitled to either.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to incomplete information from his former employers and missing vocational rehabilitation records. The AOJ will attempt to obtain these records and provide the Veteran with a Supplemental Statement of the Case if necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinea pedis was found to cover less than 5 percent of the entire body and less than five percent of exposed areas, requiring only topical therapy. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met on a schedular basis.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating in excess of 60 percent for his PFB, finding that the current schedular rating adequately compensates him for his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of VA to provide proper notice and scheduling for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the Veteran receives appropriate notification.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his PTSD and cervical strain with degenerative disc and joint disease prevent him from engaging in any type of substantially gainful employment.