Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service connected conditions and determine if he is unemployable due to these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial compensable disability ratings were denied. The appeal for bilateral degenerative joint disease of metatarsophalangeal joints with bilateral calcaneal spurs and severe pes planus was withdrawn by the Veteran, while his claims for left ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and tinea pedis remained denied.

The Veteran's service-connected cystic acne has been manifested by extensive comedones over the back of the neck, bilateral buttocks and lower abdomen, with two adherent scars located on the right neck and below the left ear. The Board finds that a 30 percent disability rating is warranted for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dermatitis, bilateral groin area as moot due to a remand by the Court in September 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting facial acne was aggravated by active duty service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his hearing preferences. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings for onychomycosis, tinea ungium of all toenails, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service injury that could be linked to the claimed conditions. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of eczema due to herbicide exposure, and his headaches were found to be related to PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as noncompensable, but the VA examiner found that he still experiences pain and stiffness in his feet despite using orthotics. The Veteran should receive a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease are service-connected.,The Veteran's intertrigo of the groin is service-connected.,The Veteran's tinea pedis (skin rash on the feet) is not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis have been granted with appropriate evaluations, but the issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right leg and foot condition remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for obsessive compulsive disorder effective from December 11, 2006. The Veteran's earlier claim was denied in the past due to lack of evidence at that time, and now there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne is granted due to new and material evidence. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chloracne, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service. The Board finds that a VA examination with opinion is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current skin disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing acne keloidalis nuchae was aggravated by military service, and his hypertension is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, and knee conditions as well as a skin condition. The appeals were not granted due to lack of evidence or new material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for eczema of the feet, right knee disability prior to February 18, 2009, and multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 prior to December 2, 2008 were denied.