Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board and RO have denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, folliculitis, bronchial asthma, and lumbar muscle spasms due to lack of medical evidence establishing a nexus to his period of service.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis is not shown to cover more than 5 percent of the exposed area, cause limitation of motion of the feet, or necessitate intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected nephrolithiasis, eczema, lumbago, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, and osteoarthritis of the left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's skin condition, manifested by psoriasis and eczema, is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects her disability picture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, including tinea versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, and rosacea, was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle pain and tinea pedis are considered service-connected as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with fallen arches and shortening of the ankle tendons.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was first diagnosed and treated during his second period of active duty service. The Board finds that the condition began during this period, and grants service connection for tinea pedis.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for skin disorders, specifically tinea cruris and tinea corporis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of any such diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for tinea pedis and hypertension are being remanded to the RO for further action, including consideration of new evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psoriasis, a skin disorder, was aggravated by his active duty service from January 2003 to April 2004. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected atopic dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, skin disability, respiratory disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed acne had its initial onset during his active military service and grants service connection for acneform disorder, including chloracne.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriatic arthritis of the bilateral hands and a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected psoriasis were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, and thus, service connection could not be granted.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is productive of two characteristics of disfigurement, warranting a 30 percent rating since the appeal period began.

The Veteran's psoriasis is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and hypertension is found to be aggravated by PTSD. The Board grants the claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is likely due to noise exposure during his active service and subsequent National Guard service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae are being remanded due to the need for additional development.