Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea versicolor and a right foot callus disorder were denied. The skin condition was rated at 10% prior to September 4, 2012 and 30% thereafter, while the right foot callus disorder received no higher than a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis and found that he is not unemployable due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne conglobata was denied as the condition clearly preexisted service and there is no evidence of aggravation beyond normal progression. The Veteran's bilateral foot condition has also been denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling error for his Travel Board hearing. The issue remains about the initial compensable rating for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae of the back of the neck.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, bilateral cataracts, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have all been denied.

The Veteran's skin disorders affecting the skin behind his ears, feet, groin, and chest were present during service and continued after service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's skin condition, manifested by intermittent papules that become itchy and filled with pus, is currently rated at 20 percent under the analogous diagnostic code for acne. The claim for service connection for acne vulgaris of the face was withdrawn.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin condition and granted it, finding new and material evidence. The skin conditions diagnosed since the last final denial are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin disability, specifically acne rosacea. The Board has determined that additional development is needed as the recent submitted service treatment records were not available for review by the examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left wrist ganglion cyst, multiple muscle and joint pain, right leg bone condition, tinnitus, and back disability as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disability, diagnosed as dermatitis and chronic skin lesions, is related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has required the near constant use of systemic therapy in the form of oral antibiotics, warranting a disability rating of 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's skin condition claim for an addendum opinion to determine if his sebaceous cysts are related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the Board finding that it was not properly addressed in previous decisions. The case will be returned for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of back disorder, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), cold injury residuals of the right hand, left hand, right foot and left foot are related to his active service. The claim for an ankle disorder is not reopened.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service clinical findings and/or presumed Agent Orange exposure, and his currently diagnosed skin disabilities. Therefore, service connection for a skin disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development and consideration, including the retrieval of relevant documents such as service treatment records, SSA records, VA examination reports, and hearing transcripts. The claims will be readjudicated after these steps.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings were granted. He was awarded service connection for right knee disabilities, anosmia, and left foot tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, and his fungal infection of the left hand (tinea versicolor) is already covered by a current service connection. The Board denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, thus granting TDIU.