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

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, each warranting staged ratings of no more than 20 percent prior to April 17, 2013; a combined (based on a formulation of 20 percent under Code 5258 and 10 percent under Code 5003) increased rating of 30 percent from April 17, 2013 to October 4, 2016: and a combined (40 percent under Code 5261 and 20 percent under Code 5258) increased rating of 50 percent from October 4, 2016. The Veteran's tinea of the right popliteal fossa is not shown to have been manifested by scarring or to have involved at least 5 percent of the total body or exposed areas or to have required intermittent systemic therapy.

The Veteran's dermatitis of the right wrist and forearm is granted a 10 percent disability evaluation, effective from April 8, 2009. The Veteran's vertigo remains at a 10 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for insomnia is dismissed as the symptom of chronic sleep impairment, which is already covered by his service-connected PTSD. The issue of an initial compensable disability rating in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met, as the effective date assigned was the day following discharge from service. For other issues, no higher rating could be assigned based on current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for spinal disability, acne, and acquired psychiatric disability have been reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressive Type).

The Veteran's appeals for diabetes mellitus, eczema, and headaches were denied. The Board also dismissed the appeal for special monthly pension benefits.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinea pedis, aortic stenosis, blockage of carotid arteries, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), large B-cell lymphoma, and liver condition. The claims were not well-grounded due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hemorrhoids, and right and left foot disabilities are remanded for further development.,His claim for increased rating of acne vulgaris remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and lack of exposure information. Further examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis, as well as whether any gastrointestinal reflux disease, elbow bursitis, or dermatitis are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee were denied. The claim for a separate compensable rating for limitation of flexion associated with the right knee was granted at 10 percent from November 2, 2011 until May 14, 2012. A compensable rating for residual scar, right knee, was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema, finding that there is no evidence linking her current condition to her active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran does not have eczema or a skin condition as a result of her military service.

The Veteran's psoriasis, stria atrophicae secondary to steroid medication is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic back pain, left lower extremity chronic knee pain, and tinea pedis.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The Board denied an extraschedular rating and granted a TDIU from September 7, 2018 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection issues, and thus they are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne and a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of whether these conditions are related to service are now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PFB and stomach disability ratings due to insufficient evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

Service connection for Persistent Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder is granted.,Service connection for a skin condition other than PFB, including Psoriasis and Seborrheic Dermatitis, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for keratoderma climactericum of the face and seborrheic dermatitis, service connection for left leg shin splints, and service connection for bilateral hand arthralgias have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for tenosynovitis of the left wrist has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for right leg shin splints has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps on face and neck) is denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or near his period of service. His bilateral hearing loss, however, is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure in service.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are remanded for further examination and opinion.