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

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic dermatitis of the bilateral hands and feet is being remanded due to outstanding private medical records concerning UVB phototherapy treatment. The AOJ must obtain these records, notify the Veteran of their request, and provide an opportunity for him to respond.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide an updated VA examination and obtain any private treatment records. The earlier effective date issue is intertwined with the initial rating issue.

The Veteran's eczema was rated at 0 percent from April 13, 2010 to March 26, 2014 and at 10 percent from March 26, 2014 to October 29, 2014. The maximum schedular disability rating of 60 percent was granted for eczema as of October 29, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis, as secondary to his service-connected conditions or due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for PTSD, tinea unguium, and special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and skin disability of the feet are found to be service-connected. The right ankle disability and ischemic heart disease claims were not addressed due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne was denied. The claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition should be remanded due to incomplete records and need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 23, 2008 for service connection of various conditions were denied as the disabilities preexisted his final period of active duty service and are not shown to have been aggravated during that time.,All awards of service connection and SMC based on these conditions were assigned an effective date of August 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for chloracne and right wrist disability with carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for TDIU based on these disabilities, were denied. The effective date of service connection for chloracne was also not granted earlier than September 8, 2011.,The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 50 percent under DCs 8599-8515.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected skin and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's esophageal dysmotility disorder, right and left foot hallux valgus, migraine headaches, asthma, psoriasis, and alopecia are all rated at the maximum available under VA regulations. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for eczema prior to June 3, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for eczema from June 3, 2016 onwards was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 21, 2011 is denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinea pedis has been rated at 10 percent, but no higher. Service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus (claimed as bunions) is denied. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an abdominal muscle disorder was denied. The claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD and left hip DJD, as well as the claim for increased rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also denied. Service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) was granted.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, based on persistent symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, and substernal pain.

The Veteran does not have a current tinea pedis and cruris condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service. The Board finds no evidence to support the claim for service connection.