Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a TDIU, arguing that he should have been granted one based on his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds evidence of unemployability due to the service-connected disabilities and remands the case for referral to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the VA Director of the Compensation and Pension Service for adjudication of TDIU eligibility under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's skin disorder, specifically tinea versicolor, was rated at 10 percent prior to September 7, 2010. From September 7, 2010 through June 17, 2012, the rating was increased to 30 percent due to more significant involvement of his skin area. Since then, a 10 percent rating has been maintained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain, bilateral arm eczema, and sympathetic dystrophy with neuritis of the left groin were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of his erectile dysfunction, heart condition, skin disorders, and shin splints are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development.

The Veteran's right lower extremity cellulitis was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and/or radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's skin condition (eczema and seborrheic dermatitis) is found to have its onset during active service, thus granting service connection. However, there is no evidence of a compensable dental disorder for which compensation is payable.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chloracne was denied. The VA examiner found that the current skin condition, including Rosacea, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, claimed as a fungal infection of the chest, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of nexus opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing at the RO. The only issue on appeal is the initial compensable rating for tinea cruris.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and skin condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinea versicolor has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran is now service connected for a mood disorder, but not for chloracne, psoriasis, IBS, hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, or residuals of frostbite.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request. Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's skin condition, hypertension, and diverticulitis are not related to his periods of active duty or National Guard service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including lichen planus and associated scars, is related to his military service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's skin disorder was incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for seborrheic dermatitis and sinusitis were denied. The skin condition was rated as 10 percent, 30 percent, and 60 percent from different periods of time, but the highest rating (60 percent) is not granted due to lack of evidence showing more than 40% body or exposed areas affected. For sinusitis, no incapacitating episodes were found warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected fungal dermatitis has affected less than 40 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, and did not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the assignment of a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected fungal dermatitis from January 25, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant, and as such, these claims are granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The skin disability, bilateral pes planus, left knee instability, left knee tendonitis, and right knee tendonitis are all rated under the criteria for direct service connection.