Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will then be returned to the Board for further appellate review.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings granted for any of his disabilities.

The Veteran's skin condition, bilateral knee pain, multiple joint pain, sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for tinea versicolor, left knee disorder, right elbow disorder, and left elbow disorder have been denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for the scheduled VA examination. The claim for service connection for these conditions remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and to verify his claimed stressors. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to assess whether he currently experiences PTSD, as well as a VA dermatology examination to evaluate his PFB.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. Service connection claims remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied.,No specific effective date was provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chloracne is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor is currently asymptomatic and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's current mood disorder is related to his service-connected eczema with chronic dermatitis, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability evaluation for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and a higher initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee condition.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's current bilateral foot skin condition (claimed as jungle rot) is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of all claims except for a higher rating for PTSD, TDIU, and service connection for diverticulosis and shingles.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disorder was denied. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for dermatitis remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for cardiovascular disorders, chloracne, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and considering the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cystic acne with adenitis suppurativa of the axillae was denied. The RO found that he is already receiving the highest possible schedular rating under the applicable diagnostic code, and there has been no disfigurement or systemic manifestations warranting an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequacies in the examination reports and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's eczema, a residual of MRSA infection, is rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that the maximum schedular rating for this condition has been granted.