Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and ensuring completion of any other necessary development.

The Veteran's service-connected acne of the face and neck is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it does not involve significant disfigurement or skin loss.

The Veteran seeks additional vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code, for the pursuit of a Bachelor's degree. The Board has remanded this case due to issues regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment.

The Veteran's eczema of the hands and feet was granted a rating of 60 percent effective July 1, 2007. The bilateral plantar warts and callosities were not compensable at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's current skin disorder existed prior to his military service and was not aggravated by or made worse during his active duty. The Board concluded that the appellant did not have a new disability incurred in service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with substance abuse and alcoholism, tinnitus, left varicocele, scarring secondary to facial acne, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae and had this condition in service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied, with the exception of his claim for schizophrenia which was granted.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis and chloracne, are not service-connected as they were not shown during active duty or due to herbicide exposure.,Gout is not service-connected as it was not shown during active duty or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to work due to service-connected pruritis, dermatitis, and lichen infection.

The Board has granted service connection for cystic acne and denied service connection for a right ankle disorder. Service connection is granted for cystic acne as the evidence approximates that it began during active duty, while denial of service connection for the right ankle disorder is based on lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied. His claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with gastritis is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for occipital folliculitis and service connection for UTIs were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for occipital folliculitis or service connection for UTIs.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis was found to affect less than seven percent of the entire body and did not require systemic therapy, resulting in a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7806. The hearing loss claim is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the cause of death and the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for onychomycosis with tinea pedis and tinea cruris, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's current psoriasis, a skin disorder, is considered to have been incurred during his military service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection based on the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, as his combined service-connected disabilities (80% and later 90%) meet the criteria for a TDIU. The VA examiner found that all of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2, aggravated his rosacea.