Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinea pedis and PTSD are not service connected, but he is granted a TDIU based on his disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral vesicular tinea pedis disability, which required systemic therapy for six weeks during the appeal period, is granted an initial compensable rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right bundle branch block, folliculitis, and dermatophytosis due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 10 percent rating, effective October 17, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking his service-connected tinea pedis with any of his primary or contributory causes of death, including respiratory failure, metabolic encephalopathy, acute kidney failure, and myocardial infarction.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left shoulder dislocation, left and right hand strain, low back strain, bilateral heel contusion, and tinea versicolor are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to assess current severity of these conditions.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the tinea pedis claim because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding its relation to service. The case is being sent back for further examination.

The Veteran's stasis dermatitis with sacral ulcers is rated at 30 percent, effective April 30, 2004. The Veteran is also granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for his penile stricture caused by VA treatment in connection with his gastric bypass surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and tinea pedis/unguium. The Veteran's eye disability claim was previously denied in 2000 and new evidence does not support reopening this claim.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for folliculitis and service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have been denied. The Board found that folliculitis required topical therapy only, not systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs, precluding a higher rating. For the second issue, there is no objective evidence of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service records and VA treatment records, as well as to conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's skin condition, specifically tinea versicolor, is rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that his skin disability affects more than 40 percent of his body. Other issues related to heart conditions and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder with radiculopathy, tinea cruris (jock itch), fungus of both feet, and headaches. The preponderance of the evidence does not show these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris with scarring is rated at 30 percent since January 31, 2012.,Bilateral hammertoes are each rated at 10 percent since the date of receipt of his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for alcohol and drug dependency, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, lower back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened due to new evidence received since previous denials. However, the Board finds that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right shoulder scars, bilateral toe scars, or resection of metatarsal heads. His hearing loss was rated appropriately under VA guidelines. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety) was granted as new and material evidence had been received since the last denial in 2006.

The Veteran's dermatitis has improved, with less than 5% of the entire body or exposed areas affected and no systemic therapy required. The Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus was caused by service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent insomnia disorder associated with dermatitis of the scalp is currently rated at 30 percent, and his claim for a higher rating has been denied.