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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea pedis and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current 10 percent or 20 percent ratings, respectively, for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a disorder of the thymus and remanded issues regarding a skin condition and right great toe disability due to lack of current evidence supporting these claims.

Service connection for hypertension and bilateral pes planus is granted. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted with a 10% initial rating effective from February 17, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The issues include tinea corporis, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, liver condition (including cirrhosis), and Barrett's esophagus.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture is denied. The Board found that the available schedular ratings adequately describe his disability level and symptomatology, thus denying an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's tinea capitis was denied an increased rating, as it did not cover at least five percent of the entire body or affect at least five percent of exposed areas and did not require intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs for a total duration of less than six weeks within the prior 12-month period.,The Veteran's left ankle disability was denied an increased rating, as it only met criteria for moderate limitation of motion. The next higher 20 percent rating requires marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Reiter's Syndrome in both hands and tinea pedis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Specifically, the VA examinations showed no significant functional impairment or incapacitating episodes related to the conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence of current TBI, chloracne, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, or peripheral neuropathy of the right upper or lower extremity. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disorder, including a leg strain, and his dyshidrotic eczema (claimed as skin condition) are being reviewed.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and PTSD are not service connected, but he is granted a TDIU based on his disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral vesicular tinea pedis disability, which required systemic therapy for six weeks during the appeal period, is granted an initial compensable rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right bundle branch block, folliculitis, and dermatophytosis due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 10 percent rating, effective October 17, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking his service-connected tinea pedis with any of his primary or contributory causes of death, including respiratory failure, metabolic encephalopathy, acute kidney failure, and myocardial infarction.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left shoulder dislocation, left and right hand strain, low back strain, bilateral heel contusion, and tinea versicolor are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to assess current severity of these conditions.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the tinea pedis claim because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding its relation to service. The case is being sent back for further examination.

The Veteran's stasis dermatitis with sacral ulcers is rated at 30 percent, effective April 30, 2004. The Veteran is also granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for his penile stricture caused by VA treatment in connection with his gastric bypass surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and tinea pedis/unguium. The Veteran's eye disability claim was previously denied in 2000 and new evidence does not support reopening this claim.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for folliculitis and service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have been denied. The Board found that folliculitis required topical therapy only, not systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs, precluding a higher rating. For the second issue, there is no objective evidence of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service records and VA treatment records, as well as to conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.