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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative, and thus the appeals for all issues have been dismissed.

The Veteran's current skin disability, diagnosed as recurring non-specific dermatitis, is related to her military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee patella-femoral syndrome and osteoarthritis, as well as L4-L5 bulging disc with moderate spinal canal stenosis (degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine), both secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The claim for chronic dermatitis remains denied.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) and a noncompensable rating for his stomach disability. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding calluses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disorder and his bilateral tinea unguium of the toenails affects less than 5 percent of his total body area. The Veteran's impairment of the right thigh due to osteoarthritis warrants an initial compensable rating, but limitation of flexion of the right thigh due to osteoarthritis does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his restrictive airway disease required a CPAP machine prior to May 31, 2013 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The claim for eczema dermatitis was remanded but no rating has been assigned yet.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for bilateral tinea pedis, finding that the Veteran's skin disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 40% effective June 21, 2016. The RO granted a separate rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS.

The Veteran's current skin disorders, including dermatitis contact, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and scars, are found to be causally related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis warrants a 20 percent rating effective October 23, 2008. The condition is analogous to two scars and manifests as cracking, flaking, and redness of the feet with occasional painful flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of low back disability, and determined that chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and a chronic lung disease are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a respiratory disability related to his military service and finds that the Veteran's dermatitis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral ingrown toenails are rated as analogous to scars, and his hyperhidrosis is rated as less than 5% of the entire body or exposed areas. The Board finds no basis for a compensable rating under these criteria.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for atopic dermatitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion from a dermatologist and obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's skin disability was granted a 60 percent rating effective April 23, 2013. His lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.