Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's unemployability is based on his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues listed, including consideration of new evidence. The Veteran is also advised to submit a timely substantive appeal if he wishes to perfect his appeal on any of these issues.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor disability evaluation was increased from 60% to 60%, effective August 1, 2013. The reduction of the evaluation from 60% to 30% was not proper.

The Veteran's skin disability claim is remanded for additional development, and her dental disability claim is also remanded due to the lack of service connection theory. The claims are currently in a 'unknown' status regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted effective January 24, 2007. His skin disability has been found to have its onset during active service and is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the October 2013 VA examiner. The TDIU claim will be considered as part of this process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinea versicolor is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected narcolepsy, DJD and DDD of the lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine degenerative joint disease and muscle strain have been denied. The effective date for service connection has also not been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's heart disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not presumed to have been incurred therein. The Veteran does not have a current heart disability.,The Veteran has tinea pedis that affects less than 5 percent of a non-exposed area, but does not require intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis and onychomycosis of both feet are attributable to service, with no presumptive exposure basis. The VA examiners acknowledged a risk factor for these conditions (wearing closed-toed shoes in moist environments), but discounted this due to lack of treatment and inconsistent nail involvement.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion to revise or reverse the June 1984 and March 1985 rating decisions on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error. The effective date for the grant of service connection for cystic acne is set at January 23, 1985.

The Veteran's right arm lymphedema is found to be causally related to his service-connected right elbow osteoarthritis, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of a higher initial rating for right elbow osteoarthritis remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for BPH was denied as there is no evidence of a link between the condition and his military service.,For left foot dermatitis, the Veteran has not provided any symptoms or treatment related to this condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected contact dermatitis and tinea pedis have been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear employment status and the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow gainful employment.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.,Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, residuals of a fractured left great toe, residuals of a fractured right thumb, and residuals of an injured left hamstring are denied.,Service connection for a neck disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and need for a comprehensive examination.