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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected tinea cruris is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination during a period of exacerbation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability (psoriasis) is not causally related to his active duty service. The respiratory disability (COPD/emphysema) claim, if granted, would be secondary to a heart condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-patient records from the Perrin Air Force Base hospital and providing a new VA opinion regarding the left knee disability. The claims for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, sinusitis, skin disability, and hemorrhoids are also being remanded.

The Veteran's skin condition, including nodulocystic acne, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has two painful scars and his skin condition affects more than 40 percent of exposed areas. A separate 10 percent rating for these two painful scars was granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for chloracne, to include residuals, prior to July 14, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis with associated headaches, pseudogout of the left foot, and eczema. The decision found that there was no current hearing loss disability or skin condition (eczema) due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a Social and Industrial Survey to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis of the face, brow, and chin is currently rated at 10 percent disabling as of June 8, 2012. The condition affects less than 5% of his entire body but more than 4% of exposed areas.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased disability rating for service-connected eczema.

The Veteran's service-connected eczematoid dermatitis has been rated at 10 percent since December 26, 2012. The Board finds that the current evaluation is appropriate given the symptoms and treatment provided.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of loss of vision (including cataracts), eczema, alopecia, left leg radiculopathy, and right elbow tendonitis have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding these claims.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a current skin disorder with its onset in service or being otherwise associated with service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema does not render him unemployable due to its effects, as the medical evidence indicates that it is manageable and does not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 22, 2003. Effective April 21, 2003, the Veteran is no longer unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for eczema of the bilateral arms. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine is currently pending and will be addressed after the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's skin disability, other than his service-connected chloracne, was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin, including his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea dermatitis of the feet and hands was rated as 10 percent disabling from November 26, 2012. The VA examiner found that the condition did not cover more than 5% of exposed areas or total body surface area.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disorder. The Veteran and his wife provided additional information regarding their experiences during ACDUTRA in El Salvador.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema, are not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.