Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for erectile dysfunction and lump in the right breast have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for his right triceps scar has been denied.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right elbow condition, thymus gland removal, digestive issues, lactose intolerance, residuals of a thorn in thumb nail, and headaches have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral spine, left knee, and skin disabilities are being remanded due to the need to associate missing VA examination reports with the claims file and obtain new examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right leg condition, PFB, diabetes mellitus, or bilateral hearing loss. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his time in service, particularly related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings, as they are inextricably intertwined. The claims will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left heel spur, and erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn. The Board has not found a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.,The Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded for further examination and opinion. His right ankle tendonitis and bilateral knee disabilities are also remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The reduction of the disability rating for contact dermatitis and light sensitivity from 30 percent to 0 percent effective September 1, 2016 was improper. The Veteran's disability rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, Tinea Pedis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his right wrist disability, chloracne, and psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for lymph node disability and left wrist disability. The dermatitis/eczema claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, alcohol dependence, and depressive disorder with alcohol dependency are granted. The claim for PTSD is denied. An initial compensable evaluation since November 30, 2010, for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation since September 20, 2009, for erectile dysfunction (ED) is dismissed. A 50 percent rating from September 30, 2009, to November 29, 2010, for depressive disorder with alcohol dependency is granted. The issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot fungus, and urticaria (claimed as chloracne) due to exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant service records and provide new opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

A 10 percent rating for vertigo prior to December 31, 2014 has been granted.,Since December 31, 2014, a 30 percent rating for vertigo is granted.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying the Veteran's service stressors. The claims of service connection for various conditions are also being considered.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of an initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, prostate cancer, right hip disability, arthritis, eczema, elbow disability, gout, hypertension, and bilateral hand and foot neurological disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after the period of service.,Service connection cannot be granted because the Veteran has not provided any medical or other evidence linking his current diagnoses to his military service.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, chronic left sternoclavicular joint disorder, left foot disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The appeal for PTSD has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on skin coverage or systemic therapy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's left knee disability claim is also being remanded as a VA examination is needed to assess its relationship to his service-connected disabilities.