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

The Veteran's appeal was denied in part, including his request to reopen a claim for service connection for traumatic cataract of the right eye. The remaining issues were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, tinea corporis, and gastrointestinal disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to his active duty status and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The issues include a claim for an increased rating for skin conditions on the hands, and a claim for service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's tinea corporis was found to not cover 20 to 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, and topical steroid creams were not considered systemic therapy. Therefore, the claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, residuals of a contusion of the right hand, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The Board finds that there is no current evidence of chronic disabilities such as right foot disorder, bilateral corneal abrasions, pseudofolliculitis barbae, or sinusitis. Hypertension was not shown within one year of service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected eczema prior to August 30, 2002 was denied. The issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder associated with service-connected eczema was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was granted, effective from April 28, 1971. The current rating is 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for status post left abdominal muscle strain, entitlement to service connection for a cardiac condition, and a higher initial rating for the service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include seeking an increased evaluation for PTSD, service connection for lung disorder and chloracne due to burn pit exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from the appellant's reported hospitalization and/or surgery in service at Perrin Air Force Base. Additionally, a new opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the left knee disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, sinusitis, skin disability of the lower extremities, and hemorrhoids need to be remanded as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acne vulgaris, which was granted service connection for in July 2007, does not warrant a compensable rating since March 12, 2006. The condition is manifested by superficial papules and comedones without deep acne.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations regarding his service-connected skin and foot disabilities, as well as changes in medication.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD meets the requirements for a schedular TDIU since September 14, 2010.

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

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 15, 2011 for nummular eczema was denied as the evidence did not show that more than 40% of his entire body or exposed areas were affected.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent effective February 15, 2011 for nummular eczema was also denied as the evidence did not show that at least 20% of his total body surface area or exposed areas were affected.

The Veteran is seeking specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities, but the RO/AMC needs to schedule an examination and consider the revised VA regulations for these grants.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The claim for varicose veins of the right lower extremity with stasis dermatitis is also granted as new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA skin examination to determine if the Veteran's current skin disability is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's non-obstructive coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports a grant of service connection for non-obstructive coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis as a result of herbicide exposure.