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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, sinus disorder, tinea corporis, and tinea pedis are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot rash was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, tinnitus, hearing loss, tinea pedis of the hands, and skin disability of the feet are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudo folliculitis barbae and denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral foot fungus due to incomplete examination and lack of addressing of lay contentions.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including contact dermatitis and porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. His sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome are secondary to the service-connected PTSD and lung disability. The initial rating for his lung disability was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema and psoriasis, finding no link to his in-service skin condition. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50% for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including chloracne, were not found to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and other skin disabilities, including those on the left eye, face, and arms, are denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for eczema since February 22, 2012, finding that her condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's TMJ is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2; macular erythematous dermatitis; and polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is set at July 7, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, atopic dermatitis, TMJ disorder, a bilateral foot disorder, and conjunctivitis. The denial is based on new and material evidence not having been received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board finds that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and eczema. The most probative evidence does not show a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed sleep apnea, skin disorder (neurodermatitis), and low back disorder are related to his period of service.,However, the evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's psoriasis and/or PTSD contributed to his death from pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, a lung disorder due to mustard gas exposure, and a skin disorder due to mustard gas exposure. The Board also found that there is no credible evidence linking any current respiratory or psychiatric conditions to his service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for PFB, effective August 22, 2006. The Veteran's PFB is characterized by visible or palpable tissue loss and three characteristics of disfigurement: surface contour of scar elevated or depressed on palpation, hyperpigmented area exceeding six square inches, and abnormal skin texture in an area exceeding six square inches.