Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's skin disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or a link to his military service. The Board found that the conditions are more likely related to post-service sun exposure and other environmental factors.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, tonsillitis, and tinea pedis have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for fatigue has also been denied because it is considered a symptom of an underlying condition (depression, anemia, or sleep apnea).

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis. The Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and migraines are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's skin rashes, including seborrheic keratosis and follicular dermatitis, are remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate VA opinions regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral pes planus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are all being reviewed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with tinea corporis is granted a 10% rating, effective from June 5, 2017. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal and requires further examination.

The Veteran's skin disability, service-connected tinea cruris, is rated as non-compensable. The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and the reopening of a tinnitus claim. The tobacco use disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence it is related to active service other than in-service cigarette smoking.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for a skin disability, including acne and rhinophyma, as the appellant requested withdrawal prior to the decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for PTSD. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic sinusitis, and acne are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current tinnitus and his military service. The rating for dermatitis prior to May 17, 2019, was also denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition involved more than 20% of the total body or exposed areas, or required systemic therapy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depression was denied, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied, as she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of the claims for service connection and increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The Board will consider these issues before deciding on her TDIU rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, effective December 1, 2014, as his condition had not improved sufficiently to warrant a reduction in rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bronchial asthma is dismissed. A 10 percent rating is granted for GERD and a 10 percent rating is granted for PFB under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's triamcinolone acetonide topical medication, used to treat his service-connected recurrent dermatitis, caused irreparable damage to his outergarments in the 2014 calendar year. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for this period.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, depression, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability have been granted. The claims for arthritis of the neck and lower back are remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his DIC benefits claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied.