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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, dysthymic disorder (including dysthymia), and skin rash were previously denied in September 2009, September 2001, and September 2009 respectively. The new evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for substance abuse was found to be precluded as a matter of law due to his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's skin disorders of the right and left feet are found to be caused by his service-connected cold weather injuries, resulting in secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his educational attainment and occupational experience, precluded all forms of substantially gainful employment beginning December 1, 2012. Effective December 1, 2012, but not earlier, the criteria are met for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased disability evaluation for chloracne, initial disability evaluation for lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease, service connection for soft tissue sarcoma, service connection for locked jaw due to broken right jawbone, and entitlement to TDIU prior to November 1, 2013.

The Veteran's eczema has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection in February 2011. The current evidence does not show that the condition affects more than 20% of the entire body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy is required for a total duration of six weeks or more during the past 12-month period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for psoriasis or service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, hyposmia as a residual of oral surgery, and headache condition. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eczema of the bilateral lower extremities, and residuals of oral surgery. The Veteran's current diagnoses are found to be related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scars on the retina, dermatitis of the groin, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also granted an initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service-connected skin conditions, folliculitis and intertrigo. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims, and the diagnoses of the claimed conditions were not established during or related to active service.,Service connection was also denied for vertigo, chloracne, a disorder manifested by generalized sores, color blindness, respiratory disorders (shortness of breath), and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined rating is at least 40 percent, but he does not have one disability rated at 60% or more. The adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has resulted in no more than mild to moderate occupational impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The skin disorder claim, however, did not receive a clear opinion regarding its relationship to service or any exposure basis.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee chondromalacia and skin conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to his symptoms varying from mild transient symptoms to deficiency in most areas.,For TDIU, the Veteran meets the percentage requirements for consideration. However, he is currently unemployed and unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected tinea corporis, as she reported experiencing flare-ups from sun exposure.

The Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and is not etiologically related to service.,Prior to November 5, 2015, the Veteran's PFB was manifested by subjective complaints of irritation with or without shaving, itching, and stinging; objective findings reflect treatment with topical medication and involvement of a body area of less than five percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and skin disorder.

The Veteran's PFB has been rated as 10 percent disabling since October 27, 2017. Prior to this date, the disability was not compensable.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied as there is no evidence that he requires regular aid and assistance from another person due to service-connected disability.