Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected conditions, including left and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's skin disorder, specifically seborrheic dermatitis and urticaria, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his presumed Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma and dermatitis are related to exposure to herbicides and sun during service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which was a result of his military service, contributed to his death from pulmonary thromboembolism. The cause of death is therefore service connected.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for eczematous changes, to include the head, palmar aspect of the hands, wrists, buttocks, and lower extremities (claimed as a skin condition of the hands and wrists).

The Veteran's headaches are found to be aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability, including depression.,Service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is denied as the condition was not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's right foot disorder, low back disorder, and sleep apnea were not shown to be related to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not linked to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a skin disability, including nuclear burns and radiation dermatitis, which he claims are due to exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service. The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation and whether any current skin disabilities are related to such exposure.

The Veteran's dermatophytosis was previously rated at 10% and increased to 30% effective December 9, 2010. The Board found that the condition covered more than 20 percent of his entire body or exposed areas during this period.

The Board has directed the VA to obtain treatment records from Dr. J.A.R., whose contact information is on the Veteran's April 2014 VA Form 21-4142. The case will be remanded for this purpose and then readjudicated.

The Veteran's service-connected psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema is currently rated as noncompensable due to the affected area not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial evaluations assigned for the disabilities granted by the February 2009 rating decision are not supported.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and an inadequate opinion. The Veteran's skin disability is being evaluated in relation to presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing and the need to issue statements of the case for two issues.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities required a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance to be worn or used which tended to wear out his clothing, or that he used medication due to a service-connected disability that caused irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at his local regional office. The issues include rating adjustments and service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including consideration of the new evidence and application of the appropriate rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's eczematoid dermatitis was previously rated at 30 percent, effective December 31, 2012. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 60 percent is warranted as of January 11, 2010.