Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to exposure to fuels and chemicals during service, including chloracne of the chest, respiratory problems, and a bilateral eye disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease, contact dermatitis (claimed as concrete poisoning), depression, essential tremors of the hands, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The decision also addressed a claim for right total hip arthroplasty but found no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, and his maxillary sinusitis and dermatitis are each rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 31, 2004.

The Board has restored the Veteran's tinea versicolor rating from a non-compensable to a 10 percent evaluation, effective March 1, 2010. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for hiatal hernia, gastritis with erosions, and Crohn's disease since March 28, 2013. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. Service connection was established for perianal fistula, allergic rhinitis, residuals of a deviated septum, and folliculitis.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and scarring of the trunk post-surgical removal of supernumerary nipples are not rated higher. The Veteran was granted service connection for sleep apnea and dental malocclusion.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis was rated at 10 percent prior to November 19, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher rating based on the criteria for evaluating skin disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis A, chloracne, and soft tissue sarcoma has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran seeks benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815 for his child's birth defects, which he claims are related to his mother's exposure to herbicides while in Vietnam. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if the conditions are indeed birth defects and whether they are related to his mother's service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, back disability (as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability), left shoulder disability, and left elbow disability are related to his active service. The Veteran's tinnitus and vision loss do not have onset during active service or are not etiologically related to active service. Adult acne is also not related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether he meets the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance, acquiring specially adapted housing, or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board finds that the service-connected psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were a contributory cause of the Veteran's death, resulting in his cardiopulmonary arrest. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were the principal or contributing cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his skin conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and left leg disorder. The VA examiner is asked to address whether these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure in service.

The Veteran does not have a disability due to a cold weather injury in service, and his current foot disorders are less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for PFB and assigned a noncompensable rating initially, then increased the rating to 30 percent effective June 6, 2011. The Veteran's condition is rated as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, neck condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The decision also noted that there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (migraine headaches, chronic photodermatitis, exercise-induced asthma, and diabetes mellitus) prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience otherwise qualified him prior to June 10, 2005. The Board granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's depression is secondary to her service-connected disabilities and grants service connection for a skin condition, including hyperkeratosis. The claim of service connection for a skin condition is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted.