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

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides during active duty for training. The skin disorder and psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating, and referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris, including residual scarring, was first diagnosed during his service in Vietnam and has persisted since then. The Board finds that the condition had its origins in service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis and an increased rating for her lichen planus. The Veteran is still seeking these benefits.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral upper extremity and left lower extremity numbness, were denied. The Board found that there was no competent evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches with dizziness and skin rash conditions are found to be related to his service, including combat exposure in Vietnam. The Board grants the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate condition is not service-connected as it was not shown in service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service discharge.,Erectile dysfunction is not service-connected due to lack of a current disability, absence of continuity of symptomatology, and the fact that it is not associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The AMC must also confirm if there are any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chondromalacia of the patellae, urinary tract infection, sinusitis, epidymitis, bronchitis, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, rash (including tinea), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence submitted since the March 1989 RO decision is not new or material to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's case was previously before the Board in July 2011, where an additional issue of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was also on appeal. The TDIU rating issue is now remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding his bilateral pes planus and issuing a statement of the case for his tinea versicolor claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected chloracne.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including eczema, lumbar spine strain, right and left knee disabilities, and DJD of the shoulders, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, right ankle injury, bilateral hearing loss, and dermatitis of the left foot, do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect. The VA examiner concluded that he is capable of performing physical or sedentary employment.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria, and no higher rating can be granted. The RO has not provided a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss or follicular eczema.

The Veteran's neurodermatitis, also diagnosed as lichen simplex chronicus, is currently rated at 60 percent and has not met the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's skin condition, joint pain, and myalgia have been recurrent since service. New evidence supports reopening of these previously denied claims.