Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current tinnitus and his military service. The rating for dermatitis prior to May 17, 2019, was also denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition involved more than 20% of the total body or exposed areas, or required systemic therapy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depression was denied, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied, as she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of the claims for service connection and increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The Board will consider these issues before deciding on her TDIU rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, effective December 1, 2014, as his condition had not improved sufficiently to warrant a reduction in rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bronchial asthma is dismissed. A 10 percent rating is granted for GERD and a 10 percent rating is granted for PFB under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's triamcinolone acetonide topical medication, used to treat his service-connected recurrent dermatitis, caused irreparable damage to his outergarments in the 2014 calendar year. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for this period.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, depression, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability have been granted. The claims for arthritis of the neck and lower back are remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his DIC benefits claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was determined to have begun during his active service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's mycotic toe nails and tinea pedis present to soles of feet, with tinea cruris are granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the period prior to February 21, 2012.

The Veteran's psoriasis was rated at 60 percent from September 9, 2010 to November 19, 2018.,Prior periods saw ratings of 10 percent and 30 percent for the condition.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD, dyshidrotic eczema of the hands, and thoracolumbar spine strain. The Board finds that there is no probative evidence that the Veteran submitted any formal or informal communications with respect to these conditions prior to his October 2012 claim.,The effective dates assigned by VA are the earliest possible under applicable regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals of PFB, lung scars, right shoulder disorder, and left eye cataract. The appeal for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of increased ratings due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to August 25, 2016. The Veteran's skin condition and right second toe fracture residuals are currently rated at their maximum levels under the schedular criteria.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, onychomycosis and tinea pedis.,The Veteran's headaches and neck disorder are remanded as they may be related to his claimed pseudo tumor celebri and upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's status-post myocardial infarction associated with hypertension is granted a rating of 100 percent. The Veteran's dermatophytosis pedis, tinea pedis, unguium is remanded for further actions.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 3, 2012 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.