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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, skin rashes of the head and face, respiratory disorder, chronic headaches, right shoulder disorder (claimed as skin/nerve movements), ear disorder (claimed as ear aches, diagnosed as otitis externa), sleep disorder (claimed as insomnia/hypersomnia, diagnosed as sleep apnea), and vision problems. The Board found no objective evidence of these conditions during service or since service that could be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for psoriasis due to new and material evidence. However, the Board is remanding the case for further development as it cannot immediately decide on the merits.

The Veteran's tinea pedis of the feet was not found to cover at least 5% of his body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy such as corticosteroids was required. Therefore, a compensable disability rating prior to March 12, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. Hypertension is presumed to have been incurred within one year of separation from service due to consistent blood pressure readings. Lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome is also presumed as it was diagnosed shortly after service discharge. Pseudofolliculitis barbae is considered service-connected based on its onset during military service and no evidence against this.

The Veteran's service-connected furunculosis-folliculitis currently does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7806, as it does not cover at least 5 percent of his entire body or exposed areas affected. The VA examiner found no intermittent systemic therapy required during the past 12-month period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, back disability, and skin disability did not have their onset during military service or are otherwise related to such service. The evidence does not support a finding of nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's skin disability of the feet had its onset in service and is granted service connection for tinea pedis with onychomycosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and skin disease were denied as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for chloracne has been denied as the current assigned rating is more than and equal to the maximum ratings allowed under diagnostic codes 7829 and 7806.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for acne scar, nose, disfiguring rated as 10 percent disabling as of August 29, 2013 has been denied. The separate rating was granted based on the current version of Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's nicotine dependence disorder is being evaluated to determine if it was caused by or worsened by his service-connected disabilities of anxiety disorder, neurodermatitis, and hypertrophic tonsils. A TDIU claim will also be re-evaluated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing at the VARO in Togus, Maine. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, right knee disorder, sleep disorder, and chloracne are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected dyshidrosis of the hands and tinea pedis with onychomycosis have been evaluated at 10 percent since May 2006. The disabilities are currently manifested by no active skin disorders, residual scarring, or systemic manifestations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, right leg sprain, and tinea (fungal infection). The decision concluded that there was no separate and distinct disorder in the right lower extremity resulting from military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's chronic dermatitis of the abdomen is found to be related to his military service, as it was diagnosed during a skin biopsy while he was in active duty. The Veteran's acne vulgaris of the face existed prior to service and no evidence suggests it was aggravated by service.,Service connection for chronic pharyngitis has been granted.

The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis has been productive of involvement of less than 5 percent of the skin of the entire body and exposed areas, requiring only topical treatment. The Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of chloracne was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's severe back pain with numbness and weakness in his lower extremities, which was aggravating his service-connected PTSD, met the criteria for emergency treatment not previously authorized. The medical expenses incurred at a private chiropractic center were reimbursable as they were necessary due to an emergent condition that would have been hazardous if delayed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in either case.