Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for pruritis, prurigo nodularis, and Majocchi’s granuloma are granted. The case is remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of other diagnosed skin disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea versicolor remains denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, ratings in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, residuals of a left fifth finger fracture, and residuals of a right hand injury, as well as the issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 8, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability, tinea versicolor, requires constant attention and medication which causes irreparable damage to his outer garments. The Board grants a clothing allowance for selenium sulfide 2.5% used in treatment of the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and exposure history. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected dermatitis, also claimed as Sweet’s syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of potential appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for initial compensable disability rating for dermatitis and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform the basic functions of self-care and are as helpless due to his service-connected conditions, necessitating regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for eczema and OSA, both related to his PTSD. Additional development is required.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, each warranting staged ratings of no more than 20 percent prior to April 17, 2013; a combined (based on a formulation of 20 percent under Code 5258 and 10 percent under Code 5003) increased rating of 30 percent from April 17, 2013 to October 4, 2016: and a combined (40 percent under Code 5261 and 20 percent under Code 5258) increased rating of 50 percent from October 4, 2016. The Veteran's tinea of the right popliteal fossa is not shown to have been manifested by scarring or to have involved at least 5 percent of the total body or exposed areas or to have required intermittent systemic therapy.

The Veteran's dermatitis of the right wrist and forearm is granted a 10 percent disability evaluation, effective from April 8, 2009. The Veteran's vertigo remains at a 10 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for insomnia is dismissed as the symptom of chronic sleep impairment, which is already covered by his service-connected PTSD. The issue of an initial compensable disability rating in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met, as the effective date assigned was the day following discharge from service. For other issues, no higher rating could be assigned based on current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for spinal disability, acne, and acquired psychiatric disability have been reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressive Type).

The Veteran's appeals for diabetes mellitus, eczema, and headaches were denied. The Board also dismissed the appeal for special monthly pension benefits.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinea pedis, aortic stenosis, blockage of carotid arteries, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), large B-cell lymphoma, and liver condition. The claims were not well-grounded due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hemorrhoids, and right and left foot disabilities are remanded for further development.,His claim for increased rating of acne vulgaris remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and lack of exposure information. Further examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis, as well as whether any gastrointestinal reflux disease, elbow bursitis, or dermatitis are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee were denied. The claim for a separate compensable rating for limitation of flexion associated with the right knee was granted at 10 percent from November 2, 2011 until May 14, 2012. A compensable rating for residual scar, right knee, was also denied.