Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and urinary disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, specifically tinea versicolor and tinea cruris, were rated at 10 percent prior to May 30, 2012. Beginning from that date, the VA determined a rating of 60 percent is warranted due to systemic therapy required for treatment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon was not related to his in-service polyps and subsequent removal. The cancer site was independent from where the polyps were removed.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis was rated at 10 percent since October 24, 2016. The Board found that the condition did not affect more than 5% of his total body or exposed areas and no systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs were required during the past year.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 24, 2010 for the initial grant of service connection for pseudo folliculitis barbae and for an initial compensable rating for right foot tinea pedis have been withdrawn. The claim for a higher rating for right wrist osteoarthritis with distal ulnar styloid fracture was also withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as secondary to service-connected disabilities were not addressed due to the withdrawal of these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his condition has not resulted in more than 40% of his body or exposed areas being affected, and he did not require constant systemic therapy.

The Veteran's heart murmur is not a disability for VA purposes, and service connection cannot be granted.,Sleep apnea has been rated at the maximum 50% level due to use of CPAP machine. It does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on respiratory failure or tracheostomy.,Right shoulder degenerative joint disease is currently rated as 20%, which aligns with limitation of motion at shoulder level (170 degrees flexion).,Left knee tendonitis has been rated at the maximum 10% level, reflecting no more than normal range of motion and pain on movement.,Hypertension has not required compensable ratings as it is controlled by medication with diastolic pressure below 100 and systolic pressure consistently below 160.,Psoriasis affects less than five percent of exposed or unexposed areas without requiring systemic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to Alzheimer's disease, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that the appellant does not have legal entitlement to accrued benefits as no claims were pending at the time of his death and there are no existing ratings or decisions in her favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residual chloracne scars of the upper extremities and trunk is being remanded due to additional VA examination reports that need to be considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as eczema, contact dermatitis, skin tags, and acne is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's skin disorder and bilateral hearing loss have been evaluated, but the evidence does not support a compensable rating for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal began. The Board found that his condition does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating as it does not cover more than 20 to 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, and he is not using systemic medications.

The Veteran's left leg varicose veins with deep vein thrombosis and dermatitis are rated at a 60 percent disability level, which is the highest rating available under the applicable VA rating criteria. The decision also notes that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher 100 percent rating due to lack of board-like edema.

The Board has found that the Veteran's chloracne is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for chloracne is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and eczema were denied. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is related to a different issue.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The Board found service connection for a bilateral eye disorder to be reopened based on new evidence but denied other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis warrants a rating of no more than 30 percent, considering the frequency and severity of his symptoms. The other claims have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and have denied all of his claims.