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

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances are denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected athlete’s foot condition causes irreparable damage to his outer garments.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied as there was no prior claim on a standard form prescribed by the Secretary. A rating of 70 percent for recurrent major depressive disorder with alcohol/drug use disorder from October 6, 2015 but not earlier is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding a compensable rating for seborrheic dermatitis. The Veteran's sinusitis is granted with a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence on file, and requests that VA examinations be conducted by specialists to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and the need for an independent living evaluation. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and acne.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his skin disorder prior to February 8, 2007 was granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for right hand/arm CTS and left arm disability as well as the extra-schedular ratings for both skin and low back disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis condition needs further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions were denied. The Board found no current disabilities for the claimed right thigh, hip, PFB, flank, CFS, sleep apnea, and hypertension disorders.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and allergic rhinosinusitis were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,High cholesterol was deemed not a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for a back disability, bilateral leg disability, BPH, hearing loss, tinnitus, rash on legs and buttocks, and hypertension could not be established due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or within one year post-service.,However, the Veteran's insomnia was found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim due to the need for a current examination and additional VA treatment records, as well as the need to determine the severity of his service-connected dermatitis of the bilateral feet.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his right foot disorder, bullous emphysema, COPD, and eczema.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on tinea pedis and post-surgical scarring have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on bilateral hallux valgus to include on an extraschedular basis have been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran’s headaches are related to his service-connected tinnitus and whether they have been aggravated by it.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran experienced military sexual trauma during service and if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other psychiatric disability as a result of that stressor.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam while aboard the USS Savage. The VA will need to determine this and obtain any relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches is denied, and the issue of increased rating for acne on the back area is remanded.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted service connection, but his bilateral elbow disability and sinus disability are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back strain, cervical strain, right ankle strain, tinnitus, eczema, and headaches, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension, chronic bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, colonic polyps, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gout, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, dermatophytosis of toe nails, and tinea pedis are being remanded for further development as they may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the feet and hands, knees, shoulders, chloracne, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM2), were all denied. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected eczema, effective from the date of his original claim in November 2007. The condition is characterized by intermittent systemic therapy involving topical corticosteroids.