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

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for service-connected dyshidrotic eczema of the feet was denied. The Board found that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7806, as it affected less than 5% of his total body area and exposed areas. His claim for TDIU was also denied because he could still secure and follow substantially gainful employment despite his foot disability.

Service connection is granted for right ankle/heel inversion, left ear perforation (previously claimed as right ear perforation), chronic bronchitis, and left wrist and thumb scars. A TDIU is also granted.,Bladder disability and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp are remanded due to insufficient rationale provided in the February 2018 DBQ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a 10% disability rating for folliculitis, posterior neck are granted with effective dates of July 23, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims include bilateral residuals of broken toes, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a broken nose, shingles, psoriasis, and a jaw disability (including TMJ, bruxism, and residuals of a broken jaw and broken front teeth).

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions due to additional VA outpatient medical records being added to the file since the last adjudications in March 2015. These records are pertinent to all issues on appeal.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining prior authorization under 38 U.S.C. § 1703(a) and securing missing VA records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lower lip scar. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bladder disorder (including cystitis), and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded.

The Board has remanded 10 issues related to tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, and various forms of rheumatoid arthritis due to the lack of service treatment records. The RO is instructed to attempt to locate these records through multiple avenues.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 30%. Service connection for neck disability and left knee disability are granted. Tinea pedis and alopecia areata service connection claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear otitis media, sinus arrhythmia/tachycardia, and hypertension (HTN) as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The right shoulder disability is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for dermatitis was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx was denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to September 26, 2016 and from November 1, 2017 to December 19, 2017. However, the issue of TDIU was moot as he received a 100% rating for his service-connected disabilities and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of psoriasis was dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding the claim was new and material.

The Veteran's skin disability is denied as service connection, but the Board has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the hernia and tinnitus claims due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are now granted. The remaining issues related to right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, tinea pedis, hypertension, migraine headaches, and sinus condition are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis (previously claimed as skin rash due to herbicide agent exposure) because no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for hypertension, but the case of tinea versicolor is remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for chronic muscle spasm of the right leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, dermatitis (claimed as skin rash), and headache (claimed as chronic headache).,There is no current evidence to support a diagnosis of chronic muscle spasm of the right leg. The Veteran's symptoms are not related to service.,The Veteran has sensorineural hearing loss that did not begin during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Tinnitus was first reported over 25 years after separation from service and is likely a symptom of the Veteran’s existing hearing loss.,Chronic sinusitis is not linked to service as there are no symptoms documented during service. The current diagnosis is too long after service for a link to be established.,The Veteran's dermatitis (claimed as skin rash) was not present during service and is not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.