Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for residuals of frozen feet, residuals of gunshot wound to feet, and tinea pedis have been denied. The claim for pes planus has been granted.,The Veteran’s claim for acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and is currently pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The dermatitis, sinusitis, diabetes, and hypertension claims are denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder on the feet, including tinea pedis and onychomycosis, is granted as service connected. The Board found that symptoms of the current condition had their onset during active duty service.

The Veteran's use of benzoyl peroxide for his service-connected skin conditions caused irreparable damage to his clothing, specifically the shirt collars. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2018 calendar year due to this damage.

The Veteran's psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis have been rated at 60 percent since July 13, 2004. The Board found that the Veteran has required constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids for his skin disability throughout the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand both issues on appeal due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is currently diagnosed, and there is a possibility that it may be related to service exposure. His skin disability (claimed as dry skin around the eyes) also appears to have been diagnosed, with his spouse indicating signs of eczema upon his return from service.

The Veteran's PFB affects less than 5% of his body and requires topical treatment, which does not require systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs. The Board denied an increased rating for the disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis C and tuberculosis were denied in prior rating decisions. New evidence has reopened these claims, but the claims are still denied as there is no current disability related to these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for a skin disorder of the penis, to include dermatitis and a fungal disorder.

The Veteran's skin conditions (seborrheic keratosis and eczema) are being remanded for clarification of the etiology. The eye condition claims are also being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the service-connected diabetes mellitus and the Veteran's eye conditions.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, Gulf War Syndrome (to include psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and unexplained aches and pains), PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's skin disability, including dermatitis or eczema, chloracne, acne, and acne-like lesions, is attributable to service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,Service connection was denied for cervical, low back, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factor.,Service connection was denied for TBI as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran had a traumatic brain injury during his military service.,Service connection was denied for headaches, vision problem, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), tinea pedis, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, bilateral hand pain and numbness, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factor.,Service connection was denied for GERD as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran had this condition during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of genital herpes, as well as the issues regarding lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy, bilateral tinea pedis, and tinea cruris. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Veteran's eczema is rated at 60 percent, adjustment disorder with depressed mood is partially granted to 70 percent and a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability is granted. The initial rating for the right knee disability (claimed as insomnia and night sweats) remains denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the service connection claim for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The service connection claim for tinea pedis was granted.