Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinea versicolor but determined that the effective date should remain October 19, 2011.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for tinea pedis from August 28, 2007 to August 27, 2008. The Veteran's claim is denied prior to and subsequent to this period.

The Board finds that the Veteran developed recurrent tinea pedis (athlete's foot) of the feet while on active duty and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis has been rated as 60 percent disabling since the appeal period began, considering it affects more than 40% of his total body area with systemic therapy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral elbow epicondylitis, left hip bursitis, left hand pain, heart murmur, hemorrhoids, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right foot fungus, hyperhidrosis and left arm cubital syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his skin condition of the feet, abdominal scar, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for eczema of the left ear and underarm dermatitis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder with alcohol disorder is granted, and the issues of service connection for macular degeneration (on a new and material basis), hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, skin disorder, onychomycosis, residuals of right index finger disability, and GERD are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a birth defect related to his mother's military service, and therefore, he is not entitled to benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815 for a child born with birth defects.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea cruris, neurodermatitis, and lichen simplex chronicus remains on appeal due to a remand by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case is being returned for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected tinea versicolor and tinea pedis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding his onychomycosis.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, eczema, fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, back disability, and knee disability. The Veteran's claim for diabetes was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the December 2013 denial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions, to address the issues of service connection for a back disorder, increased evaluations for right foot disability, chondromalacia, left knee, residuals of an injury to the right knee, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. However, the evidence does not support a finding that his service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin conditions, right testicle disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to his active duty service. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is also not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence meeting criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination for the Veteran's claimed bilateral jungle rot, diagnosed as tinea pedis. The examiner will determine if there is at least a 50% probability that any such disorder is etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's skin condition on the hands and PTSD have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if his current staph infection and skin disability are related to the VA treatment he received.