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

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to incomplete actions following a previous remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and to determine if there are any new or material pieces of evidence that could affect the outcome.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis and chronic epididymitis, right testicle have been granted. The case is being remanded to obtain a medical examination regarding any current skin disorders other than pseudofolliculitis.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and tinea versicolor have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for TDIU. His additional service-connected disability (tinea versicolor) is independently rated at 60 percent, meeting the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet has been granted. The remaining issues have not been fully adjudicated and are remanded.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including asteatotic dermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria, seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, onychomycosis, actinic karatoses, tinea corporis, tinea pedis, solar keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, cherry red angiomas, and xerosis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. The Board found that the Veteran's skin conditions are more likely due to aging, years of sun exposure, and genetic predisposition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including consideration of his service-connected conditions and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the spine, is granted. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses for a left wrist disability, right wrist disability, or right foot disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including those related to migraines, tinea versicolor, right thumb disability, keratitis, and a calf muscle injury.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and sleep disturbance is rated at 70 percent, the maximum available. The GERD and IBS are rated at 30 percent. The right foot skin disability has been restored to a 10 percent rating, while the left foot skin disability remains at a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service and aggravated by his military duties. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service connected as there is no current diagnosis and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's left knee disability is not service connected due to lack of a nexus between his current condition and service. The VA examiner opined that the current condition was less likely than not incurred during service.

The Veteran's bilateral leg disorder, including venous insufficiency and stasis dermatitis, is not related to her military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various lower extremity conditions are all granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established a current disability, in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne vulgaris and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the remand portion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dermatitis (claimed as skin rash due to herbicide exposure), residuals of left eye strabismus surgery, and both right and left knee osteoarthritis. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his skin disability was denied. He is currently in receipt of the highest schedular rating allowable based on his skin disability.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was initially rated at 10 percent prior to April 23, 2008. Following a VA examination in January 2010 that indicated the condition had worsened and covered approximately 20% of his body with 15% exposed areas, he was granted a rating of 30 percent effective from April 23, 2008.