Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinea pedis affects less than five percent of his entire body and requires topical medication for treatment. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disabilities, including actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratoses, warts, and tinea cruris, were not caused by or related to his service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinea pedis and onychomycosis was denied. The Board found that the condition did not affect more than 20% of his exposed areas or require systemic therapy, thus warranting a 10% rating.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, vision disability, neuropathy, and heart disability were all denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Board also found that the Veteran's skin condition did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, multiple myeloma, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a chronic skin disorder. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as sleep apnea, all secondary to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for soft tissue sarcoma is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a circulation disorder other than venous insufficiency with venous stasis dermatitis, and a skin disorder other than venous insufficiency and venous stasis dermatitis. The Board found that there was no evidence of direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for leukopenia and acne of the face, back of head, and neck as they are not considered disabilities eligible for service connection. The Veteran's skin condition was also not related to exposure to herbicide agents or otherwise linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for eczema, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, or a shoulder disability.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected scar post follicle drainage status post folliculitis infection from February 10, 2017. The rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae remained at 30 percent.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, which covers more than 20 but less than 40 percent of the exposed areas and requires systemic therapy for six weeks or more during the past year.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's unemployability is based on his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues listed, including consideration of new evidence. The Veteran is also advised to submit a timely substantive appeal if he wishes to perfect his appeal on any of these issues.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor disability evaluation was increased from 60% to 60%, effective August 1, 2013. The reduction of the evaluation from 60% to 30% was not proper.

The Veteran's skin disability claim is remanded for additional development, and her dental disability claim is also remanded due to the lack of service connection theory. The claims are currently in a 'unknown' status regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted effective January 24, 2007. His skin disability has been found to have its onset during active service and is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the October 2013 VA examiner. The TDIU claim will be considered as part of this process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinea versicolor is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected narcolepsy, DJD and DDD of the lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine degenerative joint disease and muscle strain have been denied. The effective date for service connection has also not been granted.