Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2012

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure and for the residuals of malaria, finding no credible or competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for higher ratings for low back disability, tinea versicolor, and paresthesia of the left lower extremity. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, diagnosed as nodulocystic acne with residual scarring of the chest and back, and claimed as chloracne. The Veteran developed this condition during his military service and has had recurrent symptoms since then.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide examinations for her service-connected conditions, and adjudicate the claim for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as the current assessments do not adequately address the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's current skin disability, manifested by acne scars and subcutaneous cysts, is related to service. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current skin disability that had its onset during active military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for folliculitis barbae (FB) was denied, and his request for an increased evaluation from July 23, 2001 onwards was also denied. The appeal is characterized as the denial of both issues.

The Veteran's acne, bipolar disorder, PTSD, sinusitis/upper respiratory infections, cesarean section residuals, and menstrual cramps have been granted service connection. The rating for acne has been restored to 10 percent effective September 1, 2000.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and neurological impairments of both lower extremities, rated at 40 percent combined, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, due to his other nonservice-connected conditions such as diabetes mellitus, asthma, obesity, renal cell carcinoma, coronary artery disease, glaucoma, dementia, sleep behavior disorder, and neck disability with radiculopathy, he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional records from the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, specifically for treatment of psychiatric disorders and eczema since 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis, psoriasis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease are not due to service or a service-connected disability.,Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left index finger condition, abdominal muscle tear, sinus disorder (including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), and bilateral tinea pedis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol abuse and various musculoskeletal issues, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or retaining substantially gainful employment, and his current job as a welder does not qualify as marginal employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, are found to be so severe that they preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction of his pseudofolliculitis barbae rating from 60 to 10 percent effective November 1, 2009.

The Veteran's skin condition is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected chronic dermatitis after March 1, 2005 was denied. The current maximum schedular evaluation is 60 percent.