Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not cover more than 40% of his entire body or exposed areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification regarding service connection for internal hemorrhoids. The effective date of service connection for tinea pedis remains May 15, 1992.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hamstring disability, left and right upper extremity numbness and tingling, skin disability (tinea versicolor/tinea corporis), and PTSD.,Service connection is not granted for the appellant's claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability in any of these areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and potential need for VA examinations. The issues include neck condition, left knee condition, bilateral foot disability, allergic rhinitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of chest disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and sleep disability due to lack of new and material evidence for chest disability claim and insufficient evidence linking PFB and sleep disability to service.

The Veteran's residual hyperpigmentation of the face due to folliculitis is rated at 60 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment. The Veteran also did not meet the requirements for a TDIU as his other service-connected condition (tinea cruris and pedis) does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's psoriasis was characterized by at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body and exposed area affected; and only topical therapy for less than six weeks during the past 12-month period. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected psoriasis.

The Veteran's syncope and vasovagal reaction are not service-connected.,IBS and diverticulitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Bilateral ingrown toenails, multiple nevi on back, and eczema do not warrant higher evaluations.,Left shoulder strain does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,Obstructive sleep apnea requires use of a CPAP machine but does not warrant a higher rating.,Migraines are evaluated based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, meeting the criteria for a 50% evaluation.,Major depressive disorder with insomnia meets the criteria for a 70% evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD and PTSD, but has remanded the claims for tinea versicolor, migraine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD).,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at the maximum 50 percent disability rating, which is considered severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 90 percent disabling since September 23, 2012. The Board has granted restoration of disability ratings for migraines, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as TDIU from September 23, 2012 to September 22, 2013.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service connected. The stomach condition, vertigo, and diabetes mellitus claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and related conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than June 12, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, bilateral hip arthritis, and dermatitis conditions due to inadequate etiological opinions in the current file. The VA is directed to seek Social Security Administration (SSA) records and obtain new medical opinions regarding the onset and progression of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected psoriasis is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's callus formations of the right and left feet were denied increased ratings. An initial evaluation of 10 percent was granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including service connection for sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, hearing loss, psoriatic arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), psoriasis and eczema, hepatitis C, colitis, celiac disease, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 1, 2000. The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C is the primary issue in these claims.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for eczema of the hands was denied as his condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on affected areas or systemic treatment.