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

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of chloracne, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, a skin disorder (including a rash and benign tumors of the face and back), or a right knee disorder during his military service. The exposure basis was presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant treatment records and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected psoriasis.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for chronic pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) with cystic acne of the face and anterior neck is being remanded due to inadequate examination. The VA will schedule a new examination during a period of exacerbation if reported.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including Bowen's disease, Grover's disease, and squamous cell carcinoma, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. However, the Veteran's acne was found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the consideration of additional diagnostic criteria pertaining to scars or other disfigurement, as well as a discussion on whether he is entitled to increased ratings prior to and after September 21, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for a videoconference hearing. The claims are related to service connection and ratings for various conditions, but the specific theory of service connection (e.g., PACT Act, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune) is not specified.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for a nerve disorder (peripheral neuropathy) and chloracne, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as the December 1968 rating decision denying service connection due to pre-existing cardiomegaly was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis and shell fragment wound muscle injury.,The Board also finds that the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis of the bilateral hips is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current foot conditions, including tinea pedis and onychomycosis, are not related to his military service. The pre-existing condition of athlete's foot in service did not lead to a current fungal infection.

The Veteran's chronic acne-form dermatitis is rated at 10 percent prior to July 17, 2013, and at 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on multiple issues, including mood disorder due to TBI, seizure disorder due to TBI, vertigo, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's asthma, now diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is found to have been aggravated by service. The claim for eczema remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including a request for a rating adjustment for lumbosacral strain and the reopening of her claim for bilateral hearing loss disability. She also seeks service connection for various conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, alopecia, folliculitis, and tinea pedis. The case is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder (claimed as skin rash) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling another VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorders, including intertrigo, tinea, pitriasis, clavus, comedomes, xerosis, onychomycoses, stasis dermatitis, seborrhea, and lipoma tumors of the neck and left biceps are not related to his active service. However, he has been exposed to sunlight during his service which may have contributed to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae had its onset during service and is related to his active duty, granting him service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to gather additional medical records and obtain an opinion from a VA pathologist regarding the cause of death, specifically whether the Veteran's service-connected psoriasis contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to determine whether his tinea versicolor disorder was caused or aggravated by either period of his military service. The examiner must address treatment records documenting multiple instances of tinea versicolor during both periods of active duty.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bronchitis, sinusitis, tinea pedis, tinea versicolor and tinea cruris. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant records and provide the Veteran with adequate VA examinations.