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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to address the claims of service connection for papular dermatitis and increased rating for eczematous dermatitis of the hands and face. The issues are inextricably intertwined as the adjudication of the increased rating claim depends on the outcome of the service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psoriasis is likely to have had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition. The back disability claim was not addressed as it pertained to a period of active duty outside Vietnam, and thus does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on exposure to burn pits or other specific environments.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a skin disorder, and pes planus due to lack of verified in-service stressors, chronicity of skin disorders, and no causal relationship between current symptoms and claimed in-service events.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability rating was reduced from 50% to 40%, effective April 1, 2014. His seborrheic dermatitis rating was also reduced from 30% to 10%, effective April 1, 2014. The reduction in both ratings is considered proper based on the improvement in his hearing and skin conditions as evidenced by VA audiology evaluations conducted in October 2011 and October 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to assess his skin condition and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's initial ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and irritable bowel syndrome have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding the etiology of his renal cell carcinoma and eczema. Further VA examinations are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected folliculitis warrants a 30 percent disability rating effective March 4, 2014. The condition affects more than 40 percent of his exposed areas and requires constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs within the past 12-month period.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period from November 3, 2007 to August 10, 2009 due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that his diabetes mellitus and related neuropathy, along with his low back disability, made him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus with penile dermatitis, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the feet, eczema, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and flat feet were denied. The claim for an increased rating for athlete's foot was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an updated VA examination and additional treatment records. The goal is to determine the current severity of his service-connected tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinea pedis and bilateral great toe onchyomycosis have been rated at 60 percent since July 2014, the maximum rating available under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's skin condition, to include chloracne, is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, intracerebral hemorrhage due to hypertension, was related to his service-connected disabilities and grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's current psoriasis began in service and the Board finds that it is related to his active duty, granting service connection.

The Veteran's skin disorder was not shown to cover 5 percent of exposed areas or of the entire body, and did not require systemic therapy for a total duration of less than 6 weeks. From August 19, 2010 to March 27, 2011, it required systemic therapy for a total duration of less than 6 weeks during a 12 week period. From March 28, 2011 to May 28, 2011, it required systemic therapy for a total duration of 6 weeks or more but not constantly. Since then, the skin disorder has covered 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas affected and/or required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs for a total duration of six weeks or more, but not constantly.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claims and noted that the disabilities in question did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor is rated at a noncompensable (0%) level. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is etiologically related to active service and grants service connection for this condition. The left pinky finger disability issue requires further development as it involves a recent injury.