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

The Veteran's request for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability is granted.,A separate evaluation for the scar associated with his right knee disability is denied.,An evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from October 13, 2007 is granted.,An evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from June 12, 2008 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's bleeding ulcer is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for sleep apnea with CPAP is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for psoriasis is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's heart disorder, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's current psoriasis was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, and the Board found no credible or competent evidence connecting it to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, keratosis, and eczema, finding that there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or chronic manifestations of these conditions. The Board also found that the diseases are not among those presumed to be associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for HPV and a skin disability (other than skin discoloration) due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 10 percent, effective October 19, 2007. The disability covers less than 20% of the entire body and affects less than 20% of exposed areas, without requiring systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an increased rating for postoperative cervical spine DJD and service connection for seborrheic dermatitis before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis of the feet and plantar fasciitis, right foot are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral DDD and DJD is granted, with a current disability rating of 20 percent. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of psoriasis and dismissed his appeal regarding a compensable disability rating for folliculitis of the buttocks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, reopening of a previously denied skin disorder claim, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and increased rating for left knee disability were all granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including chronic headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, skin rashes, upper respiratory infection, skin / nerve movements, ear aches, insomnia, and vision problems. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and skin disorder are service-connected as they were present during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eczema is not related to his service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and chronic back condition, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his psychiatric disorders and physical disabilities. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these factors.

The Veteran's acne is not shown to be deep or scarring, and does not affect more than 40% of the face and neck. The Board finds no basis for a compensable rating.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for dermatofibroma of the bilateral lower extremities.,Service connection has not been established for allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and several antibiotic allergies (claimed as allergies).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined disability rating is 60% from June 20, 2002, and 100% from July 11, 2005.

The Veteran's skin disorder (psoriasis) and arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 12, 2004, for service-connected PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not timely perfect his appeal and that VA had not waived the statutory time period for filing a Substantive Appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.