Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinea pedis affected less than 5 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, requiring only topical therapy. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to new evidence received. His bilateral hearing loss claim is reopened, but additional development is needed. The compensable rating and increased rating claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for lower back disability was denied. A 10 percent rating is granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae from February 23, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lower back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any such disability was incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his first post-service year onset of persistent symptoms.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 18, 1988 for service connection of tinea pedis. The Veteran previously filed a claim in 1986 and again in 1988, but the claims were denied due to lack of evidence supporting his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and for a compensable rating due to multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324, as these issues are related to his increased rating claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and eczema have been denied service connection, while other issues related to migraine headaches, elbow/forearm strain, right shoulder condition, hypertension, and bilateral knee disabilities have also been denied. The left ankle issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and dermatitis of the feet due to outstanding VA treatment records and further clarification on the extent of his service-connected dermatitis.

The Veteran's claim for seborrheic dermatitis was dismissed as his representative requested a withdrawal of the appeal. The claims for major depressive disorder and tension headaches were reopened due to new evidence received since their final denial in February and March 2003.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are both granted, with tinnitus being related to service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied. The appeals for initial compensable ratings for right shoulder strain, bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the great toenails, and residuals, right hand status post transverse fracture distal fifth metacarpal were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability rating reduction was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The compensable rating for PFB is denied. The issues of service connection for residuals of a left inguinal herniorrhaphy, cervical spine disability, increased initial ratings for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and an increased rating greater than 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran is granted a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities.,However, the appeal for financial assistance in obtaining automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was dismissed as the proper form (VA Form 10182) was not used.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the severity of his spondylosis, service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left ankle disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for both the skin condition and right shoulder disability claims due to inadequate or incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service are considered.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as a skin disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a dermatology specialist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed skin conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for tinea cruris, finding that his condition affected less than five percent of his entire body area and none of his exposed areas. The Board determined there was no evidence of intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for folliculitis. The low back disorder was not found to be related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, service connection for left ear hearing loss and psoriasis as well as arrythmia are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.