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

The Veteran's service connection claim for pes planus, chronic cough and dyspnea, and tinea versicolor has been denied.,A noncompensable disability rating is assigned to the Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating was at least 40% prior to May 5, 2000. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU but considered whether there were circumstances outside of his service-connected disabilities which would justify a total rating based on unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within VA standards.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for nummular eczema has been denied due to the lack of intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and onychomycosis have been rated as noncompensable due to the current treatment requiring topical medication for six weeks or more but not constantly, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's psoriasis claim is being remanded for additional examination and evidence collection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted service connection. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is at least as likely as not caused by or incurred during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his tinea pedis, left knee condition, left elbow condition, and left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was treated with topical medication and affected less than 5% of her total body area, leading to a denial of a compensable disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's chloracne, specifically because he claims he was exposed to herbicide agents during service. The Board is requesting that VA attempt to obtain relevant medical records and provide an addendum opinion on whether the chloracne had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for amputation of the tip of the right long finger and dermatophytosis tinea pedis have been denied. The maximum schedular evaluation available for ankylosis of the right long finger is 10 percent, which the Veteran already has. For dermatophytosis tinea pedis, a noncompensable evaluation is assigned as it does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's IBS has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left hydrocele/spermatocele has been rated as noncompensable (no disability) since the appeal period began, and an increased rating is not warranted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for effective dates earlier than June 15, 2015 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psoriasis due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development to obtain relevant treatment notes and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, particularly in relation to multi-symptom illness associated with Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PFB and onychomycosis were granted a 30 percent disability rating effective March 30, 2019. The left shoulder disability was granted a 30 percent disability rating effective January 27, 2020. The claim for TDIU was dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea pedis has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for postural tremor compatible with benign essential tremor. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed disability, including whether it is related to active service or secondary to his service-connected skin condition medications. Additionally, the Veteran's service-connected skin condition is also being remanded for an in-person VA examination.