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

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying entitlement to TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorders and a respiratory disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasiform dermatitis and cholinergic urticaria, finding that the Veteran's current skin conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a skin disability and a sinus disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's skin conditions were diagnosed during service, but it is unclear if they are related to service. The Veteran also has ongoing respiratory issues that need further evaluation.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Veteran's skin disorder claims, including those related to exposure to herbicides, are being remanded for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected eczema does not warrant an increased rating as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for viral hepatitis and tinea pedis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's psoriasis is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7816. The disability affects less than 20% of his entire body or exposed areas and does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eczema is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a stressor related to combat. The claims for other conditions are also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis affecting both feet, Dupuytren's contracture of the hands and wrists, and degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis and onychomycosis are service-connected, with a current evaluation of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus. The decision also includes increased evaluations for PTSD and Type II diabetes mellitus.

The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's psoriasis vulgaris had its onset during service and is related to his military service. The Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Board found no evidence of a connection between the Veteran's chronic eczematous otitis externa and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a skin disorder, to include tinea versicolor. The Veteran's preexisting tinea versicolor was found to have permanently increased in severity during his military service and is related to an event or incident of his military service.