Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

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.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to inadequate or incomplete examinations, as well as failure to address certain evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dermatitis was denied as the condition does not cover at least 20 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, and does not require systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs during the past 12-month period.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his active duty service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition due to lack of evidence and need for further development, including obtaining treatment records and identifying in-service and other related conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral tinea pedis, a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further action due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion on whether his obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with depression.