Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's psoriatic arthritis is rated at 60 percent effective June 2, 2016. The RO denied a higher rating for coronary artery disease and denied an earlier effective date for service connection of psoriatic arthritis.,The Veteran's psoriasis is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted, but the assigned noncompensable evaluation is being remanded due to a lack of scarring and need for additional medical records.

The Board denied service connection for gallstones and the Veteran's claimed upper-GI disability, urinary tract disability, and chronic fungal infection of the skin. The decision also granted reconsideration of the claim for a chronic fungal infection of the skin.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient service treatment records and the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's tinea versicolor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right great toe fracture, bilateral hearing loss, and nummular eczema due to unclear evidence regarding the pre-service status of his right toe condition and the current severity of his hearing loss and eczema.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and needs further clarification regarding the Veteran's skin disorders, including Ichthyosis vulgaris.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete VA examination and the need for clarification on the relationship between his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis and other skin conditions, as well as the percentage coverage of his body affected by these conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with insomnia was reduced from a 30% rating to noncompensable effective August 1, 2015. The reduction is granted as the evidence showed improvement in the Veteran’s condition.

The Board denied service connection for skin rashes other than tinea pedis and denied an initial rating of 10 percent for left hand strain. The Veteran's symptoms were not sufficient to meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for eczema due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bladder dysfunction, CAD, diabetes mellitus, Type II) are considered to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, heart disease, prostate hypertrophy, chloracne, diabetes mellitus, type II, and headaches have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, as PTSD does not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's brain disorder, periventricular microangiopathy, is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes. Service connection for allergic rhinosinusitis and skin disorders of the arms and face and back are also granted due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Sleep apnea was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 4, 2011 was denied as the evidence did not establish that he was unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as he withdrew them prior to the decision. The Board also granted entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to multiple service-connected conditions preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin disability and his service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his current skin condition is related to his time in service, particularly his exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's need for higher level of aid and attendance is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rate under Section 1114(r) due to lack of anatomical loss or use, blindness, or significant disabilities exceeding the requirements for any of the rates prescribed in this section.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disability on a presumptive basis as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. The issues of service connection for dermatitis and a bilateral foot disability, specifically hallux valgus and pes planus, are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's surviving spouse is being provided another opportunity for the claims file to be updated and any necessary medical opinions obtained.