Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 23, 2008 for service connection of various conditions were denied as the disabilities preexisted his final period of active duty service and are not shown to have been aggravated during that time.,All awards of service connection and SMC based on these conditions were assigned an effective date of August 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for chloracne and right wrist disability with carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for TDIU based on these disabilities, were denied. The effective date of service connection for chloracne was also not granted earlier than September 8, 2011.,The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 50 percent under DCs 8599-8515.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected skin and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's esophageal dysmotility disorder, right and left foot hallux valgus, migraine headaches, asthma, psoriasis, and alopecia are all rated at the maximum available under VA regulations. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for eczema prior to June 3, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for eczema from June 3, 2016 onwards was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 21, 2011 is denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinea pedis has been rated at 10 percent, but no higher. Service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus (claimed as bunions) is denied. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an abdominal muscle disorder was denied. The claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD and left hip DJD, as well as the claim for increased rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also denied. Service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) was granted.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, based on persistent symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, and substernal pain.

The Veteran does not have a current tinea pedis and cruris condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service. The Board finds no evidence to support the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran was properly found to be rehabilitated for purposes of the vocational rehabilitation program, but there is insufficient evidence to determine whether his service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that they preclude him from performing the duties of school paraprofessional or if the occupation is now unsuitable on the basis of his specific employment handicap and capabilities. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's cardiopulmonary arrest was caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's anxiety is found to be part of her service-connected PTSD. The dermatitis claim remains pending as the evidence does not support a separate diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his back and skin conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in December 2017, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cornea dystrophy has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected eczematous dermatitis and associated glaucoma disabilities.

The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his skin disease prior to July 20, 2017 and a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis and chronic fatigue syndrome, both claimed as due to Gulf War Syndrome. The evidence received since the last final denial supports a current diagnosis of these conditions related to the Veteran's Persian Gulf service.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for tinea pedis and service connection for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and stressor verification.