Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as they are not related to the Veteran's service or any service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was also denied for increased ratings of the Veteran’s left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic bilateral lower extremity dermatitis was granted a 60% rating for the period between April 1, 2011 and February 28, 2013. A higher rating is not warranted since March 1, 2013.

The Veteran's skin condition, including folliculitis with underlying asteatotic dermatitis, is denied as not related to service or exposure to Agent Orange. The prostate cancer claim for an increased evaluation prior to March 18, 2016, is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his combined disability rating is only 80%, which does not meet the minimum schedular percentage requirements.

The Veteran's hypertension was noted on his entrance examination and did not increase in severity during service. The Board finds the medical opinion of record to be more probative than the Veteran’s lay assertions regarding the etiology and severity of his hypertension.,An addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing skin condition existed prior to service, was aggravated by service, or is related to in-service symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including upper respiratory condition, hypertension, folliculitis, headaches, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability and chloracne, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation in service. The Veteran's lung disabilities were not related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and his skin issues resolved long after service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for recurrent bronchitis, dermatitis on face and ears, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and ehrlichiosis is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The Board also denied service connection for these conditions due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, cervical spondylosis C5-C6 and C6-C7, eczema, hearing loss, low back degenerative disc disease, PTSD, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, right shoulder rotator cuff pathology, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Effective dates for the above conditions have been set at December 16, 2009.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 30, 2010 for the award of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema is remanded.

The Veteran's acne keloidalis of the back of his neck is related to service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility was denied because the care provided did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment and there were feasible VA facilities available.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 70 percent from August 15, 2011 meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. However, the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support entitlement to a TDIU rating due to the cumulative functional impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as new opinions regarding the etiology of her bruxism, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of any current skin disability, including whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris disability has worsened since his last VA examination, and he should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for a testicle condition and tinea versicolor are denied, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea versicolor. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD and tinea versicolor are denied.