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

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective November 5, 2008. The initial disability rating for diabetic nephropathy was increased to 60 percent in February 2007.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent for limitation of extension, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The tinea unguium is not compensable.,The Veteran's tinea unguium affects less than 5% of her body or part, and no systemic therapy has been required.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, chloracne of the back, and skin cancers of the ears due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The effective date is set at the day following the Veteran's separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for a skin disorder, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disabilities of the bilateral feet, diagnosed as tinea pedis and dermatitis, were caused by an in-service disease or injury during service.

The Board found no evidence of a current right or left arm condition, lumbar spine condition, or skin condition (pseudofolliculitis barbae) related to service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis was also denied, with the examiner finding that the condition pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied across multiple issues, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, thoracolumbar spine disability, tinnitus (hearing loss), right hand 5th metacarpal fracture, right foot heel spur, scars of the hands and knees, dermatitis of the feet, and tension headaches. The appeal was not about service connection for any conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates were denied. The skin disorders covered less than 5% of the entire body area, with no systemic manifestations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and granted service connection for it. The initial rating for dermatitis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a non-compensable rating for actinic keratosis prior to November 21, 2015, and a 10 percent rating effective from that date.

The Veteran's Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is currently rated at 10 percent and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD and depressive disorder, is found to be related to in-service stressors. The lung disorder claim is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service exposure. Service connection for the remaining conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a skin disability and an abdominal disability, with the evidence being in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's left ankle condition does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's current skin disability (folliculitis and seborrheic dermatitis) based on continuity of symptomatology since service discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing on the issue of entitlement to service connection for acne. The Veteran's claim remains in the process of being addressed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 28, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and dermatitis of the neck and anterior axillae. The claim for chronic cough was granted but not linked to service. Service connection for PTSD was established with a current rating of 70%. The issue of TDIU is pending.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for eczema was granted, but his claims for service connection of a left ankle disability and TDIU were denied.

The Veteran's dermatitis is rated at 30 percent, effective January 11, 2016. The low back condition is rated at 20 percent, effective July 11, 2016.