Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from April 17, 2009, to December 11, 2013, and evaluations in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and seborrheic dermatitis.

The Veteran's tinea pedis has not been shown to cover more than 5 percent of the total body area; it requires use of a topical antifungal cream and topical medication but no systemic therapy, corticosteroid treatment, or immunosuppressive drugs. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chest pain was denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disorder manifested by chest pain. The claims for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and acne keloidalis nuchae are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's skin disorder, initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 21, 2012, has not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating. As of February 21, 2012, but no earlier, the Veteran's skin disorder meets the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran is adequately compensated by the assigned 10 percent evaluation and does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's skin disability was rated at 10 percent prior to November 22, 2010 and denied for a higher rating. From November 22, 2010 onward, the Veteran's skin disability has been rated as 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's neurodermatitis has been rated at 60 percent since the appeal began, which is the highest schedular rating available for this condition. The disability manifests as intense itching and does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hypertension, loss of taste/smell, skin disorder (acne), sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, gout, and vestibular disorder are granted. The service connection is established on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for an additional clothing allowance due to the use of desonide cream prescribed for his service-connected eczema was denied as the Undersecretary for Health did not certify that the medication caused irreparable damage to his clothing.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for tinea pedis and dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reduce his rating from 60 percent to 10 percent for chloracne and seborrheic dermatitis with sebaceous cysts of the face, neck, shoulders, and back. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating effective October 1, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's skin condition and whether it is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations in several cases, including right knee disability, eczema, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD prior to April 25, 2017. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudo folliculitis barbae and found that it was aggravated during a period of active duty. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating to 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to June 30, 2013.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted with a 50% rating effective April 28, 2011. Service connection for a skin disability and an acquired psychiatric disability were also granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's skin disability (eczema and dermatitis) was granted service connection with an initial rating of 30 percent effective January 13, 2009.