Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, including psoriasis and eczema. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current skin disability is causally related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluation for varicocele and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and tinea cruris are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PFB has been granted an increased rating of 30 percent, effective May 18, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have met the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating prior to April 1, 2017.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 60 percent for atopic dermatitis prior to October 3, 2016. For the period from October 3, 2016 onwards, the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity and current state of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a skin condition (chloracne) were denied as there was no competent medical evidence establishing the presence of these conditions or their relationship to service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for bilateral dermatitis of lower legs has been withdrawn. The appeals for service connection for bilateral ankle and foot conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, feet calluses, and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for a left ankle disability and hypertension were not established.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted as the evidence showed current symptoms consistent with the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for tinea cruris and service connection for a right hand disorder were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

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.