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

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and tinea versicolor/tinea cruris, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active service. The skin disability claim is remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability in service and concluded that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no indication of noise exposure during service, and the Veteran did not have a significant threshold shift between enlistment and separation.

The Veteran's claim for chloracne (spot on both legs) is pending. The claims for AL amyloidosis and heart arrhythmia are denied.,There is no evidence of service connection for AL amyloidosis or heart arrhythmia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service. The initial rating claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disorder, including erysipelas. The evidence shows that the Veteran had symptoms of a right hand disorder since his military service and was hospitalized due to this condition shortly after discharge. Service connection is granted based on aggravation.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, back and neck conditions. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis and chronic urticarial dermographic response allergy condition is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to an increased rating for this condition. For the period prior to January 28, 2011, the Veteran's unspecified bipolar disorder (previously rated as psychoneurosis, anxiety with headaches) is rated at 30 percent and no higher. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to an increased rating for this condition. For the period after June 11, 2014, the Veteran's unspecified bipolar disorder (previously rated as psychoneurosis, anxiety with headaches) is rated at 50 percent and no higher. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to an increased rating for this condition. For the period after June 11, 2014, the Veteran's migraine headaches (previously evaluated as psychoneurosis) are rated at 30 percent and no higher.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for cystic acne or prostatic hypertrophy, and denied both claims.,Both conditions were not shown during service, are not presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, and do not have a direct relationship with the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's asthma and onychomycosis of all toes with bilateral tinea pedis were not service-connected, as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service. The Veteran's asthma was found to have existed prior to his entry into service and was not aggravated during service. For his onychomycosis, the VA examiner determined it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable DCs.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for tinea versicolor, effective September 9, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right or left knee condition that is service-connected, nor does he have eczema that can be linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background prior to August 29, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a hearing, and the Board received notification of this withdrawal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and skin disability have been evaluated based on their current severity. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial rating assigned for cholecystectomy residuals and the denials of service connection for allergic rhinitis, residuals of fractured ribs, residuals of right eye trauma, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for a chronic skin disorder and remanded it, but did not address hypertension or hepatitis C. The Veteran's service connection claims are denied as there is no evidence of record showing that his current conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7806, as it covers less than 5% of his entire body or exposed areas and only topical therapy was required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of colon polyps, and there is no evidence linking it to service or Agent Orange exposure. The claim for chloracne is also denied as there is no indication that it was present during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his tinea corporis and service connection.