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

The Veteran's PFB is not rated higher than noncompensable, as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the current VA skin disability rating criteria.,An initial 30 percent rating has been granted for seasonal allergies due to at least one nasal polyp being present.

The Veteran's PTSD is not shown to have manifested the type, extent and severity of symptoms demonstrating 'total occupational and social impairment' within the meaning of the rating schedule at any point during the pendency of this appeal.,The Veteran’s tinea versicolor does not require systemic therapy. The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the skin disability under the rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea versicolor, finding that it preexisted his active duty and was not permanently aggravated by service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's tinea pedis, finding that it does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either version of the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for nummular eczema with keratosis pilaris and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with iliotibial band syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding treatment methods and examination of the knees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted, and the attorney fees for this portion of the case are reduced to half due to his limited involvement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral pes planus, left sensory neuropathy of the sural nerve, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left ankle sprain, and pseudofolliculitis) preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to October 19, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his acquired psychiatric disorder and lower back disability, render him unemployable. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma experienced during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), deviated septum, right and left foot disorder, including pes planus, and erectile dysfunction with penis deformity have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae claims were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, residuals of right breast surgery, and eczematous dermatosis of the hands, face, arms and legs due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's exposure while stationed at Fort McClellan is being verified, and she will be scheduled for an examination to assess her current severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinea pedis with tinea cruris, as it did not cover more than 40% of his body or exposed areas. For other conditions, the preponderance of the evidence was against finding a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder is related to his active military service and grants this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a vocational specialist or dermatologist regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected skin disorder on his ability to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including eczema, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is granted. The claim for an increased rating of 30 percent for tinea versicolor, prior to September 16, 2014, is also granted. However, the claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for tinea versicolor, from September 16, 2014, is denied. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and skin disorders are being remanded for further examination and evaluation. The rating for prostate cancer will be reassessed, and the service connection for a skin disorder will be reconsidered based on new evidence.