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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability other than seborrheic dermatitis, claimed as chloracne due to exposure to Agent Orange, and his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of head trauma are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is also denied. The Veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability during service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or nexus to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for acne of the chest, back and neck was granted with an effective date of November 21, 2006. The claim for an earlier effective date for this increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU effective July 25, 2008.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin condition, including dermatitis, which he claims is related to his military service and exposure to Agent Orange. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis/eczema has been rated as noncompensable since June 13, 2007. The condition affects less than 5% of the entire body and less than 5% of exposed areas, with no systemic therapy required.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected skin disability (atopic dermatitis), finding that the objective medical evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a rectal abscess and allergy disorder, to include sinusitis and allergic dermatitis, are not related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for nuclear sclerotic cataracts as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Board has also granted service connection for retinopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disorder and eczema, finding no current disability related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, finding that his preexisting conditions did not worsen during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The conditions claimed are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his skin disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, including sebaceous cysts and acne vulgaris, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current condition was incurred during military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nummular eczema with xerotic eczemas as secondary to herbicide exposure is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent effective November 5, 2009. The other issues were either denied or not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's foot disorder to include tinea pedis and onychomycosis is not shown to be causally related to an event or incident of his period of active service. The Board finds that the claim must be denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.