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

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for tinea versicolor from 30 percent to 0 percent disabling effective August 1, 2008 was improper due to lack of compliance with procedural requirements and failure to demonstrate material improvement in the condition.

The Veteran's skin disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 7806. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine the extent of systemic therapy, such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than six weeks during the past 12-month period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatitis is as likely as not attributable to exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his eczematoid dermatitis, gunshot wound residuals, and PTSD were denied. The skin condition was found to be noncompensable due to its intermittent nature and minimal impact on the body. The gunshot wound residuals did not meet criteria for a higher rating as it did not affect exposed areas or require systemic therapy. The PTSD met the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea cruris/candidiasis is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has any skin disability and whether it is related to his service. The issue of entitlement to service connection remains on appeal.

The Veteran's scar of the right forehead is found to be incurred during service, and he has a current disability. The Board finds that service connection for his skin disability (eczema), prostatitis, hematuria, and residuals of nasal fracture are warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for phimosis and earaches, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim of a skin condition. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

Effective August 9, 2005, the Veteran's service-connected PFB covers more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected and has required constant use of topical corticosteroids. Prior to November 8, 2010, his scar of the scalp was not unstable or painful.,From November 8, 2010, the Veteran's scar of the scalp is now considered unstable and painful but does not cover at least 72 square inches, have five or more scars that are unstable and painful, or six or more characteristics of disfigurement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disabilities, in combination, are of sufficient severity to permanently preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and occupation experience. Therefore, he is entitled to non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is granted a 10% rating for hammertoes of the left foot, but no higher.,Hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may service incurrence or aggravation be presumed.

The Veteran's acne was granted service connection, and a rating of 30 percent for PTSD is maintained. The left knee disability claim is pending.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for another VA dermatological examination. The goal is to determine if the Veteran had chloracne in service or any residuals thereof, and whether his current skin disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected tension headaches and entitlement to total disability rating due to individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and folliculitis, as well as his claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his left knee disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chloracne is related to service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection for chloracne is granted.

The Veteran's chloracne is presumed due to herbicide exposure, and his aphthous stomatitis is service-connected based on direct evidence. The hearing loss disability claim remains pending.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, given his education and occupational background, from June 19, 2004, to December 13, 2011.