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

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss service connection and a higher rating for tinea pedis/tinea cruris have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests for hearings and appeals.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for prostate cancer residuals. The claims for hypertension, gastrointestinal disability (including peptic ulcers), sleep apnea, skin disability (to include chloracne), Dupuytren’s contracture, Peyronie's disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and cervical carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, service connection for TBI, and service connection for lymphoma have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims.,The Veteran is competent to handle VA disbursement of funds.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, dermatitis, COPD, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment, but he experienced significant functional limitations. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.,For the left knee strain, there is no evidence of compensable limitation beyond the minimum required by Diagnostic Code 5260 (limitation of flexion).,Similarly, for right knee strain, there is no evidence of compensable limitation beyond the minimum required by Diagnostic Code 5261 (limitation of extension).,The Veteran's hypothyroidism does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7903.,There is insufficient evidence to support service connection for COPD or Sleep Apnea.,Service connection for Chloracne was denied due to lack of nexus between current condition and in-service exposure.,No new evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for skin disability.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, service connection for skin disorder and PTSD, as well as service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for a right wrist disability was granted with a 10% rating effective August 17, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin disability. The Veteran is requested to undergo a new VA examination and obtain an etiological opinion that considers his reported history and symptoms.

The Veteran's eczema is granted a maximum 60 percent evaluation from May 22, 2015.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and increased ratings for dermatitis and urticaria. The Board denied these claims as there was no evidence that the conditions first manifested within one year prior to the dates of receipt of her claims.,For urticaria, the Board found that the increase in disability is not factually ascertainable prior to April 6, 2017 and thus an earlier effective date is denied. For dermatitis, the Veteran was granted service connection secondary to urticaria with a 30 percent rating effective May 23, 2017.

The Veteran's pulmonary embolism, tinea pedis, and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has not been established. The Veteran underwent right knee surgery in 2007 which resulted in a temporary total rating.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the Veteran's low back disability is not found to be related to service. The rating for tinea cruris and TDIU due to tinea cruris are both remanded.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's tinea cruris.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a facial skin condition and a skin disorder of the back, shoulders, chest, and stomach have been denied. The claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor.,Service connection is not granted for any of the conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for ulcerative colitis is granted, with the condition rated at 30 percent since November 29, 2017. The claim for TDIU benefits is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for atopic dermatitis, but the claims for hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with a 10% rating assigned for each condition. The effective dates are not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as dermatitis/psoriasis at the top of his hairline, is considered to have started during service and has been granted service connection.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for tinea pedis and dermatitis, finding that the Veteran's skin conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin disabilities and service, including sun exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted a maximum disability rating of 10 percent.,Service connection for the left foot condition, anaphylaxis (bee sting allergy), and psoriasis is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder was granted service connection.