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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO provided the Veteran with multiple opportunities to submit evidence, but he failed to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's skin disorders of the arms and groin, as well as his disorder of the feet and nails, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's chloracne is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. His gastroesophageal reflux disease and coronary artery disease are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Central Office hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin conditions, including acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking an increased rating for onychomycosis of hands and feet with quiescent bilateral tinea pedis, prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was rated at 30 percent effective January 14, 2009. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a skin disorder, including seborrheic dermatitis and eczema. The appeal was also denied regarding his request for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder, right shoulder tendinitis, right arm radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, pes planus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinea versicolor, as the condition has been manifested by dermatitis or eczema covering no more than 10 percent of the entire body and treated with corticosteroids for an indeterminate duration.

The Veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the right lower extremity warrant a 40 percent evaluation effective June 3, 2008. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple secondary conditions is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinea versicolor or dermatitis, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for eczema and degenerative changes of the lower back has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for seborrheic dermatitis and Raynaud's syndrome were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and employment information. The VA will also schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's current skin disorder, specifically acne, is related to service and the Board finds that he has a valid claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis, otitis externa, and chronic headaches are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for dermatitis were denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.