Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the left knee are granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher. Service connection for atopic dermatitis is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for reopening the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), as well as for higher ratings for a painful right shoulder scar and a right shoulder disability. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied because the prescribed medication (Clobetasol ointment) did not cause damage to his clothing, and there is no provision for damage resulting from the disability itself.

The Veteran was granted service connection for colonic diverticulosis, but denied for skin cancer of the nose and skin rashes.,Service connection for colonic diverticulosis is established as it occurred during active duty. The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma of the nose is not related to his military service due to lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran was denied service connection for skin cancer of the back and skin rashes (tinea versicolor and dermatitis of the chest). His skin rash claim as it relates to the groin area had already been addressed. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and a skin disorder other than psoriasis, including eczema or an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including as due to herbicide exposure, finding insufficient evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for his immersion foot disabilities of the right and left feet have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pleural plaque disease was denied as the evidence did not show a link to his military service.,The effective date of the 10 percent rating for tinea pedis with onychomycosis of all toes is denied because no new and material evidence was received within one year of the August 2008 rating decision, and the Veteran did not file an appeal in time.,The claim for a higher rating for tinea pedis with onychomycosis of all toes was also denied as there was no factual basis to support such a rating increase.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused wear and tear on his clothing, specifically the manual wheelchair, shoe orthotics, and topical cream for eczema. The Board has granted annual clothing allowances for 2013 due to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chloracne (lower extremity), and trench foot as they were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. Service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, left foot hammertoes, and arthritis of the cervical spine were granted. The issues regarding service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and an ear disability (to include dermatitis or eczema) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for dysthymic disorder was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for low back disability, tinea versicolor, and denied service connection for Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and bilateral foot disorders.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records related to his skin conditions. The VA will attempt to obtain these records and then reassess the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PFB warrants a 10 percent rating, but not higher. The appeal for service connection of HTN and its secondary effects on kidney disease, CAD, and stroke is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disabilities have required constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs during the past 12-month period, leading to a 60 percent rating for tinea cruris, tinea pedis, genital herpes, and post-inflammatory hypopigmentation on right thigh and legs from February 2, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection of acne and assigned a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to obtain necessary medical records. The claims include service connection for various conditions such as shell fragment wound, hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus condition, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), hypertension, gastrointestinal condition, skin problems, and sleeping disorder.