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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral testicular disorder and tinea pedis are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.,The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for his right arm nerve injury, but his Vocational Rehabilitation assessment suggests he may be able to perform higher skill level employment if trained further. His PTSD and scar conditions also require consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right knee strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including seborrheic dermatitis, is granted. The case for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's tinea pedis of the bilateral foot and left hand was remanded for further development due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the extent of affected areas. The initial rating for onychomycosis remains denied.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was rated at 0 percent disabling, but the Board granted a 30 percent rating based on systemic therapy with oral medications for six weeks or more.

The Board has granted service connection for skin disability to include dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. The issue of service connection for hearing loss in the right ear is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation in the examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's lay reports of his foot disorder.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, including Gulf War illness evaluations.

The Board has granted payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the University of Kentucky (UK) hospital from May 7, 2013 to May 8, 2013 due to the availability and appropriateness of care provided by UK Hospital for a stroke emergency.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for psoriasis is denied, and his service connection for psoriatic arthritis is granted on the basis that it is secondary to his already service-connected psoriasis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea cruris, finding that the condition began during service and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal in comparison, and the Board finds he is entitled to a TDIU benefit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dyshidrosis eczema of the hands and feet is at least as likely as not related to service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and skin disability other than pyoderma were denied service connection. The cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service due to lack of evidence connecting it to an in-service injury. PFB was granted as the condition began during service. The skin disability other than pyoderma was denied because there is no link between the in-service pyoderma and current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee condition, and Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) due to insufficient evidence. The case must be returned to VA so that they can obtain additional medical records and ensure all relevant personnel records are available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for eczema, right shoulder DJD, and thoracolumbar spine DJD and DDD require additional examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The remanded cases include a need for an updated VA examination to assess the extent of the Veteran's eczema, right shoulder disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) has been granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum available under current regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis, sinusitis (claimed as respiratory/sinus condition), viral conjunctivitis, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as ADHD) have all been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions.