Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's OSA and psoriasis were not granted service connection, while his psoriatic arthritis was granted an initial rating of 20 percent. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's neck scar, painful scars, and linear scars from September 29, 2020. The highest rating allowed under applicable diagnostic codes was assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral pes planus have been reopened. The claim of nutritional deficiency, skin disorders, anemia, eye disorder, and headaches secondary to hypothyroidism are also being remanded.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran’s low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's current low back and right hip disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service. The skin disorder may be related to service due to potential pre-existing conditions exacerbated by service.,PTSD was diagnosed based on childhood trauma, but its relationship to service needs clarification.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, a higher skin disability rating, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound, and TDIU are all remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further clarification of the Veteran's skin conditions during his service.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinea pedis with calluses, finding that the condition affects less than 5 percent of his total body area and exposed areas, requiring only topical therapy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left arm disability, right arm disability, right knee disability, and bilateral foot tinea pedis due to new evidence of increased severity since his last VA examinations.

The Veteran's skin disability, specifically tinea versicolor of the face, back, head, and both flanks with tinea cruris of the groin, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that further clarification on the extent of his service-connected skin disability is needed.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS and alcohol abuse in partial remission, chloracne with icepick scars not disabling, and diabetes mellitus type II were denied initially in 2009 and 2013. The effective dates of these grants of service connection are set at March 20, 2015.,The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance prior to March 1, 2016 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current skin conditions are related to his service and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his death prior to a decision.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and tinea versicolor is rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that effective dates earlier than the assigned ones cannot be granted for various claims due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. The rating assigned is 30 percent, effective August 27, 2013. The claim for an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis was denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and evidence to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 30 and 60 percent for tinea versicolor on an extraschedular basis, finding that his symptoms did not cause marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected skin disability does not warrant a compensable rating, as it affects less than five percent of his body and no exposed areas. The Veteran's topical treatment with Voltaren (Diclofenac) is considered non-systemic therapy.