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

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and certification from the Undersecretary of Health regarding her use of a qualifying prosthetic or orthopedic appliance.

The Veteran is found unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Board found that the appellant was not exposed to herbicides while serving aboard a ship in Vietnam, and thus could not establish service connection for chloracne or prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including actinic keratosis, psoriasis, and herpes zoster, were not present in service or related to his military service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for additional development due to inadequate notice of a VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor was initially evaluated as noncompensably disabling prior to October 15, 2008, and as 30 percent disabling thereafter. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for gout is being remanded.,The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor was characterized by multiple, flat hypopigmented patches over the posterior upper trunk with treatment via topical medications.

The reduction of the disability rating for eczematous dermatitis from 60 percent to 10 percent was not proper as there was no actual improvement in the Veteran's condition, and the use of systemic medications like corticosteroids did not indicate sustained improvement.

The Veteran's skin disorder (tinea versicolor) was previously rated at 30 percent prior to February 16, 2010. The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration of photographs submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and vision disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing eczema did not worsen during his military service and denied service connection.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis is found to have originated during his period of active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including choreiform movement disorder and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acne vulgaris does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as there is no deep acne affecting more than 40% of his face and neck. The most recent VA examination found only one superficial lesion on the right shoulder.

The Veteran's dermatitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has chronic herpes disease related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 11, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorders, including tinea corporis and onychomycosis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they associated with herbicide exposure. As such, new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's psoriasis of the feet did not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating prior to November 10, 2011 and his plantar fasciitis of the right foot did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating prior to February 9, 2012.

The Veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as acne keloidalis nuchae, is rated at 10 percent since November 12, 2009.