Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chloracne and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is also denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran is seeking effective dates earlier than June 15, 2015, for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psoriasis. The Board finds that there is no basis upon which to award effective dates earlier than the June 15, 2015, effective date already assigned.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no higher schedular disability rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's skin condition has been evaluated as noncompensable since December 2014 and 30 percent from February 3, 2015. The VA examinations have not provided sufficient evidence to warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at 30 percent effective August 16, 2010. The VA examinations have not provided sufficient evidence to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for various service-connected disabilities. The issues were remanded multiple times, but the requested development has not been completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pityriasis rosea and tinea cruris was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of tinea cruris, but it is not related to his in-service episode of pityriasis rosea.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is manifested by coverage of more than 40 percent of his face and neck area, requiring the near-constant use of a corticosteroid for the past 12 months. The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of all claims related to physical or mental illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, finding that his initial claims were abandoned due to failure to provide necessary information about his separation from active duty. The Board also found that he was not entitled to an earlier effective date for his right knee and skin disabilities as they occurred after he had already left active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected skin condition was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to October 30, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions including lumbar spine issues and dermatological problems. The Board has ordered a remand to reassess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for myasthenia gravis, chloracne, and gum disease are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disability/psoriasis, including as due to herbicide exposure, has been reopened. However, the new evidence does not establish a current skin disability or link it to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability associated with the claimed conditions, and the Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have any other presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability, including psoriasis and eczema, did not have its onset during military service or is otherwise related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected right ear hearing loss. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but malaria is not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's sinusitis was also found to be related to service, but a new VA examination is needed as he testified that his symptoms have increased since his last VA examination in 2014. For tinea pedis (claimed as bilateral foot condition), the Veteran's testimony and in-service records indicate it may be related to service, but another VA examination is required for this issue.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, lesion on back, polyps of the nose, and rib cage mesothelioma. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.

The Veteran's dermatitis was rated as noncompensable prior to June 26, 2015 and at a 30 percent rating from that date. The Veteran has not been granted service connection for hypertension or PTSD.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because the evidence does not establish a relationship between the condition and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted. The hearing loss claim has been denied.