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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to April 17, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for psoriasis. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted based on new evidence. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed as it preexisted service.

The Veteran's dermatitis was granted a 30 percent evaluation effective July 10, 2017. His ACL insufficiency and traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left knee were both rated at 20 percent prior to July 10, 2017, and increased to 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 28, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50% evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The Board also found that his anxiety disability, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and lumbosacral strain have not met or approximated the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy is denied. The Veteran's tinea versicolor has been granted a 10% rating, and his left leg peripheral neuropathy remains at the 10% level.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.,Service connection for elevated liver enzymes (claimed as idiopathic liver disease) was not granted due to lack of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's hypertension was found to be manifested by blood pressure readings of 150 systolic and 95 diastolic, which do not meet criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.,For pseudofolliculitis barbae with facial scars, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 50% evaluation as there was no visible or palpable tissue loss and asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations for PTSD, atopic dermatitis, and bladder disability.

The Veteran's current hypertension was incurred in service and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of tinea versicolor, condyloma, and a heart disability to include AV block with abnormal EKG which is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected skin disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, as well as his claims for increased evaluations and TDIU benefits prior to March 20, 2009, were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or any other condition related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's folliculitis, right thigh is rated as non-compensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of a claimed in-service stressor and clarification of the nature and etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right tibia fracture with bilateral shin splints, right and left pes planus, and tinea cruris have been rated appropriately. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected tinea pedis, tinea unguium, and tinea versicolor were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions warranted a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is only 70 percent, which does not meet the requirement of at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more with a combined rating of 70 percent or more. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to December 15, 2011.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is no evidence of a respiratory disorder related to service, and the Veteran's pulmonary nodule is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus of the left foot is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Veteran has a currently assigned rating for his hallux malleus.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability (keratolysis exfoliativa and dermatitis) is rated at 10 percent since March 10, 2008.