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

The Board denied service connection for tinea cruris, back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, and fibromyalgia. Service connection was granted for shortness of breath.

The Board has granted service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) and remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids with fistulas and surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates and higher disability evaluations for his service-connected dyshidrotic eczema and major depressive disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct new examinations, and determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea manuum was denied as there is no legal basis to establish such an effective date prior to January 15, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for mitral valve disease/stenosis was denied, but he was granted a 60 percent rating as of July 7, 2015. The issue of TDIU prior to April 7, 2014 is referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services.

The Veteran's bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to the grant of a clothing allowance for calendar years 2013 and 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not support a finding of service connection for his claimed cardiovascular disorder, skin disorder, or erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and psoriasis.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD with Anxiety and remanded the issues of service connection for chloracne on face, chest, and back, as well as DDD of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's panic disorder is granted as service connected. Lung, skin, and heat stroke claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the listed conditions prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for tinea pedis was granted, as well as the claims for hypertension and PTSD. His PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including epidermal/sebaceous cysts and dyshidrotic eczema, are not considered service-connected as they were not incurred during his military service. The Board found that the current skin conditions have no causal connection to his Gulf War service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea manuum and tinea pedis, Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), and hypertension. The Veteran's skin conditions are presumed to be related to his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral nuclear cataract, eczema, psoriasiform dermatitis of the hands, left cheek sebaceous hyperplasia, and right cheek melanoma due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions in relation to service and exposure.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, dermatitis of the bilateral shins, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome (non-dominant) has had its appeal dismissed due to the Veteran expressing a desire to withdraw his claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder. The Veteran's eczema was also not granted an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from December 19, 2013, to May 14, 2014, due to service-connected PTSD and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. Prior to this period, he did not meet the criteria for TDIU as his combined disability rating was insufficient.