Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain outstanding VA medical records and for a VA examination regarding his claimed pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has found that the Veteran's eczema had its onset in service and has continued since then, granting service connection for eczema. The issue of a higher initial rating for Crohn's disease with GERD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema, previously claimed as dry itchy skin. The evidence now shows that the Veteran likely developed eczema during his Gulf War service due to exposure to environmental conditions and is therefore entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, sleep apnea, low back strain, left knee strain, right knee medial meniscus tear, tinnitus, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 10 percent, and his athlete's foot is not compensably rated.,During the appeal period, the Veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by intermittent fatigue, nausea, anorexia, and weight loss. His athlete's foot covered less than five percent of exposed skin and required topical treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he was not in a work release status while incarcerated at the Winnebago Correctional Center, and therefore does not meet the criteria for restoration of full disability compensation benefits.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor had its onset during service and has recurred since then. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of lumbar strain or any other low back disability, but his tinea pedis did not manifest during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's contact dermatitis, status post anthrax immunization, does not warrant a compensable initial rating as it affects less than 5 percent of her entire body or exposed areas and is treated with topical steroids.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include claims for initial ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 30 percent since September 13, 2013. The claim for service connection for low back disability was reopened and granted. No new evidence was provided to support the claims of sinusitis or bilateral foot fungus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinea pedis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the representative has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, and increased ratings for mixed headaches, hyperhidrosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease with sciatica (both lower extremities), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of her appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the claim for an earlier effective date for his chloracne rating was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting a higher rating than 20% for the lumbar spine disability or any earlier effective date for the chloracne.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current visual impairment is attributed to myopia with astigmatism, which are not diseases or disabilities for which VA compensation may be awarded. Therefore, service connection for her bilateral myopia is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral varicose veins with stasis dermatitis is granted, while the hearing loss rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that there was no current disability of otitis externa, endometriosis with hysterectomy, or residuals of a fracture of the left malleolus during the appeal period. For anemia, the rating assigned is 10 percent before April 24, 2008, and higher than 10 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for the Veteran's dermatitis prior to September 8, 2010. From September 8, 2010, a 30 percent rating is granted for the service-connected dermatitis of the legs.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.