Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board found that he demonstrated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as marital problems, intrusive memories, irritability, difficulty sleeping, suicidal ideations, and hallucinations. Diverticulitis was not service-connected, and there is no evidence supporting a skin disability or prostate condition related to service.

The Veteran's back disorder, pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are all found to be related to service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not affect at least five percent of his entire body or exposed areas affected, and there is no evidence showing systemic therapy. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for the consideration of additional medical evidence not previously reviewed by the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, increased ratings for his knee disabilities and skin condition, and TDIU at an earlier effective date than March 21, 2013. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting acne did not undergo an increase in severity during service, and therefore, it was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's skin condition was not manifested during his active service or for many years thereafter, and is not shown to be related to his active service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has ordered additional development due to remand instructions not being fully addressed, and the case is now REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected lichen planus, tinea pedis, and onychomycosis have been manifested by symptoms affecting less than 40% of his entire body or exposed areas. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis has affected less than 40 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, requiring only topical therapy. The Board found that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied, but granted.,Effective from July 20, 2004, the Veteran is now receiving service connection for his low back and neck conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed chronic skin disorder, weight loss/weight fluctuations, sore throat disability, and right-sided weakness as they were not found to be due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disabilities. The Veteran's current diagnosed condition of folliculitis was attributed to a known clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 21, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating before May 16, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for PFB was also denied. The VA examiner noted no scarring or disfigurement and opined that the condition was stable and asymptomatic.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and psoriasis, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed eye problems, hyperlipidemia, erectile dysfunction, and skin disease as they are not related to his period of active service or a previously service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and heart disability, as there is no evidence of these conditions during the pendency of his claim. The Board has also found that new examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine and headache disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service due to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder with insomnia and dermatological conditions, which prevented him from securing gainful employment prior to August 25, 2005.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and the appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits as there were no pending claims at the time of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected gastric ulcer is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's folliculitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.