Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diffuse xerosis and eczema are rated at 10 percent, while his calluses of the right foot and left foot each receive a separate 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and denied service connection for hypertension, high cholesterol, PTSD, and other psychiatric disorders. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of the remaining issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and causation of the Veteran's skin disorders, specifically whether they are related to his service or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg varicose veins has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a disability manifested by pseudofolliculitis barbae and acne. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions began during active service or are related to his service-connected low back disability.,Service connection is only granted if there is medical evidence showing a current disability, an in-service injury or disease, and a link between the two.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disorder have been reopened. The Board has determined that new and material evidence supports reopening the claims, but remands are required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his current skin disorders.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 50% rating effective May 16, 2014.,The Veteran's dermatitis of the bilateral feet was granted a 10% rating effective August 8, 2008.

The Veteran's left hand and thumb impairment is granted as part of her service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome. Her right hip disability, digestive tract disability (gastroenteritis), and tinea pedis are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is likely aggravated by his active duty. The issue of service connection for migraines was dismissed as moot due to its full grant in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 9, 2019 for the award of service connection for cervical spondylosis, lumbago, and dyshidrotic eczema of the hands are denied as there is no credible indication of any earlier filed claims that were properly submitted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, a low back disability, and tinea pedis. The appeals are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to eczema and other service-connected disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of more than 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected by the condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a skin disability due to in-service treatment and exposure, including an examination of VA records and additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the issues were withdrawn during a personal hearing.,Issues such as right knee disorder, left knee disorder, wrist carpal tunnel syndromes, upper and lower extremity neuropathies, nerve spasms in back, foot nerve spasms, fatigue, PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and TDIU have all been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals during a personal hearing.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), finding that the condition affected at most 5 to less than 20 percent of the exposed and total body area, which is consistent with a 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's skin condition, specifically tinea pedis bilateral feet, tinea unguium bilateral feet, and tinea magnum right fingernail, was found to warrant a rating of 30 percent from December 14, 2012 to October 28, 2019. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings prior to that date or after.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for acne with scarring (face) is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis and skin disorder (including dermatitis and urticaria) as the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service, and there is no evidence of treatment post-service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.