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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's folliculitis of the buttocks and upper thighs, as well as his tinea pedis, are service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PFB and scoliosis of the spine are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for contact dermatitis leading to dyshydrotic eczema and sleep apnea, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran has coronary artery disease, presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including tinea pedis, refractive error of the eyes, dislocated thumbs, depression/psychiatric disorder, asthma, and a back disorder are mixed. The evidence presented since final decisions is considered new and material in some cases but not others.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and hypothyroidism, have resulted in a combined disability rating of 70 percent. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for pseudofolliculitis was previously denied, but new evidence has been submitted. The Board finds the evidence is not sufficient to reopen this claim as it does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin disease to include a skin rash. The Board has remanded the matter due to inadequate examination and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for a lumbar spine disability has been withdrawn. The claim of an earlier effective date for the right knee disability is dismissed as it constitutes a freestanding claim. The psychiatric disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant (Veteran) through his attorney has withdrawn this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, including sebaceous cysts and acne vulgaris is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring proper consideration of his Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Veteran's eczema was not incurred in service and the Board finds that there is no link between his current skin condition and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of bilateral great toe removal, right groin lymph node removal, and fatigue are service-connected. The bilateral femur stress fractures and acne have not been found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected eczematous dermatitis involves more than 40 percent of his entire body, warranting a rating of no more than 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current right thigh disability, and the right knee arthritis was determined to be secondary to his prior injury and surgery. The Veteran's PB was not shown to cover 20% or more of exposed areas or of the entire body.

The Veteran's skin disorders were not shown to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found the medical evidence against the claim and denied it.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased evaluations for tinea versicolor and chronic headaches.