Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis was also denied, with the examiner finding that the condition pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied across multiple issues, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, thoracolumbar spine disability, tinnitus (hearing loss), right hand 5th metacarpal fracture, right foot heel spur, scars of the hands and knees, dermatitis of the feet, and tension headaches. The appeal was not about service connection for any conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates were denied. The skin disorders covered less than 5% of the entire body area, with no systemic manifestations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and granted service connection for it. The initial rating for dermatitis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a non-compensable rating for actinic keratosis prior to November 21, 2015, and a 10 percent rating effective from that date.

The Veteran's Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is currently rated at 10 percent and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD and depressive disorder, is found to be related to in-service stressors. The lung disorder claim is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service exposure. Service connection for the remaining conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a skin disability and an abdominal disability, with the evidence being in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's left ankle condition does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's current skin disability (folliculitis and seborrheic dermatitis) based on continuity of symptomatology since service discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing on the issue of entitlement to service connection for acne. The Veteran's claim remains in the process of being addressed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 28, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and dermatitis of the neck and anterior axillae. The claim for chronic cough was granted but not linked to service. Service connection for PTSD was established with a current rating of 70%. The issue of TDIU is pending.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for eczema was granted, but his claims for service connection of a left ankle disability and TDIU were denied.

The Veteran's dermatitis is rated at 30 percent, effective January 11, 2016. The low back condition is rated at 20 percent, effective July 11, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to April 17, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for psoriasis. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted based on new evidence. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed as it preexisted service.

The Veteran's dermatitis was granted a 30 percent evaluation effective July 10, 2017. His ACL insufficiency and traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left knee were both rated at 20 percent prior to July 10, 2017, and increased to 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 28, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50% evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The Board also found that his anxiety disability, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and lumbosacral strain have not met or approximated the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy is denied. The Veteran's tinea versicolor has been granted a 10% rating, and his left leg peripheral neuropathy remains at the 10% level.