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

The Veteran's skin condition, tinea versicolor with seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, is rated at 10 percent and denied for an initial rating in excess of this amount.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low testosterone, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae has also been denied.,Other claims for service connection or increased ratings remain pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left knee subluxation, bowel incontinence and rectal prolapse. The Veteran is also seeking an initial evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's chloracne was granted service connection effective December 22, 2008. The Board found that the earlier date of December 22, 2008, is appropriate as it predates the submission of his informal claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for a lumbar spine disorder and PFB.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for right index finger condition, plantar fasciitis, bilateral ankle condition, and tinea pedis are remanded.

A 50 percent rating for PTSD is granted effective May 14, 2008.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD from August 8, 2018 is denied.,Compensation for eczema is granted at a noncompensable level (0%) throughout the appeal period.,A compensable rating of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease lumbar spine is granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome, and eczema. The Veteran's claims were not granted as the preponderance of evidence did not support his assertions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition and headache condition are not service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otitis media, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tinea, verruca vulgaris with angiokeratoma, respiratory condition, and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for athlete’s feet, onychomycosis of the hands, and tinea cruris of the pelvic area as new and material evidence was received to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for skin disorder and bronchial asthma. However, the appeal is denied as to the bilateral knee disorder, heart condition, and difficulty urinating.,Service connection for a skin disorder (claimed as dermatitis) is remanded due to the need for further clarification on whether it preexisted service.

The reduction of the disability rating for service-connected seborrheic dermatitis from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective January 1, 2018, was proper. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is found to have had its onset during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for eczema, finding that it is related to the Veteran's exposure to environmental toxins during her service in the Gulf War.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back pain and bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's skin condition, headache disability, and foot disability (bilateral pes planus) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for additional examinations and information to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including whether 'black outs' are due to peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection is remanded for a left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory condition (asthma), gastrointestinal disability (GERD, hiatal hernia, and Barrett’s disease), prostate disability, and skin disability (chloracne).,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD may be related to his hypertension.,The Veteran's current prostate disability is remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his severe pain, numbness, and limited mobility.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left hip disability, left foot disability, and right ear hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).,Service connection for bilateral knee disability and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability are remanded.