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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for atopic dermatitis with secondary infection and dyshidrotic eczema, finding that the schedular criteria reasonably described the level of disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his untimely death to his military service or to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, including skin pruritus and non-specific dermatitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued since then. The decision is based on direct service connection due to continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of allergic dermatitis or any respiratory disability, and finds that there is no evidence to support service connection for either condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for acneform skin disease claimed as chloracne. The evidence received since the last final denial shows that the Veteran currently has an acneform skin disorder and it may be related to presumed Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen and service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's current left knee disability is found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for tinea, right foot is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of diagnostic criteria related to scars.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as a skin rash, eczema, and psoriasis.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has been rated at 30 percent since April 30, 2012. This rating is based on the presence of visible or palpable tissue loss and gross distortion of facial features.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne is related to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria, and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis is currently rated as noncompensable due to the condition affecting less than 5 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, and no more than topical therapy required. The claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's parapsoriasis is causally related to his active duty service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atopic dermatitis and eczema warrants a 30 percent rating prior to March 23, 2010, and a 60 percent rating beginning from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected conditions and a higher rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

Service connection for arthritis, claimed as joint pain of the hands, feet, and knees has been reopened. The Veteran's current diagnosed disability is not a qualifying chronic disability.,Service connection for migraines has been reopened. The Veteran's current diagnosed migraine disability is not a qualifying chronic disability.,Service connection for prostatitis (claimed as testicular pain) has been reopened. The Veteran's current diagnosed benign prostatic hypertrophy is not a qualifying chronic disability.,Service connection for dermatitis, urticaria, and shingles has been denied on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) as it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the extent of his service-connected eczema when it is at its most disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the AOJ for review of additional evidence submitted in August 2011, and a VA examination is scheduled during an active stage of her dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, to include dermatitis, was not incurred in service and is not related to his active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for a skin disorder is denied.