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

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder strain and atopic dermatitis are related to service, but her bilateral hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right lower extremity are productive of persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema, warranting a 40 percent evaluation. The left lower extremity does not meet this criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were found to have originated in service due to acoustic trauma, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination during a period of flare up and obtaining additional treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for right plantar fasciitis, but the Veteran's claims for acne/rosacea and cold injury residuals/Reynaud's disease remain pending. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and arrange for a dermatology examination.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was rated at 60 percent effective October 19, 2009. The low back disability issue is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the claim for service connection for acne vulgaris.

The VA has determined that the veteran's dermatitis of the face does not warrant a compensable evaluation since November 1, 1995.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination and the potential existence of outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a VA skin examination and obtaining medical records. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected dermatitis beginning March 25, 2009 will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's death was caused by a heart condition related to his service exposure to Agent Orange. He had pending claims for diabetes mellitus, chloracne, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) that were all presumed due to his service exposure to Agent Orange. Accrued benefits are granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the Veteran's lay evidence. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

PTSD rated at 70 percent from November 13, 2007,Chloracne remains at 30 percent

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for eczematoid dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his skin condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a penile rash, claimed as tinea cruris, is granted. The Board finds that the condition was incurred in service and resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's folliculitis, facial area; facial scars; and acne as of September 25, 2009.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for nonspecific eczematous dermatitis was granted with a 10% disability rating effective January 4, 2011. The issue of service connection for back disability has been withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for chloracne. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be proximately due to his service-connected hearing loss, while the evidence supports a direct relationship between the Veteran's chloracne and his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic heart disease, is presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board grants service connection for the cause of death.