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

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder contributed substantially to his death from congestive heart failure due to coronary artery disease and diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic dermatitis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis and eczema have been manifested by involvement of less than 20 percent of the total body area, without systemic manifestations or need for constant systemic therapy. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for tinea pedis effective April 12, 2000 and awarded TDIU based on service-connected disabilities effective the same date. The Veteran's entitlement to these benefits arose as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this claim as he is deceased.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disability, including psoriasis and dermatitis, is not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's current epidermal inclusion cyst is less likely as not permanently aggravated or a result of any event and/or condition that occurred during service, including alleged Agent Orange exposure. The examiner concluded that it is at least as likely as not caused by and/or worsened by an already service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected tinea pedis of the bilateral hands and feet have been appealed, and further evaluation is needed to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, tinea versicolor, vision disorder, and bilateral arteriosclerosis obliterans are all granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims were denied as his right shoulder disability, psoriasis, and ankle disabilities are not service-connected. The decision did not address the claim for psoriatic arthritis of the bilateral hands.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's total occupational and social impairment for a schedular 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9432, as well as his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to April 18, 2005 for the grant of service connection for chloracne is dismissed as moot because his original claim was granted due to CUE in a previous Board decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was unable to secure and maintain gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities as of October 27, 2006. The effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is set at this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea cruris, a skin rash presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam-era service, was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current diagnosis of tinea cruris to his in-service exposure.

The Board's August 25, 1986 decision was revised to grant service connection for a skin disorder (chloracne) due to Agent Orange exposure.

The VA examiner found that the appellant has mild tinea pedis, but did not find a connection to service. The Board finds this insufficient reasoning and will need further clarification.

The VA determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as acne, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability during service and insufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology after discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and clarifying the examiner's opinion regarding whether any current skin disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for exostosis of the left forehead was denied, and her initial rating in excess of 10 percent for psoriasis prior to May 15, 2012, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter was also denied.

The Veteran's psoriasis is rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the claims period, with no need for further action on his increased rating claim.