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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review, particularly during an active phase of his service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) skin disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his skin and foot conditions.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, representing a full grant of his claim.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current dizziness to his in-service head injury and denied service connection for residuals of a head injury. The rating for facial dermatitis was also denied as there is no evidence that it meets the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board vacated the part of its February 2015 decision that denied an effective date earlier than March 12, 2007 for a 30 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and dismissed the issue as moot due to another appeal stream involving this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disorder (to include chloracne) have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his period of service.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for various hip, ankle, and knee conditions. The Veteran's previous claims were denied due to lack of a relationship between the conditions and his service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and left ear hearing loss, as well as reopened the claims for these conditions. The Veteran's current symptoms of snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, restless sleep, large neck size, sexual dysfunction, high blood pressure, and obesity are considered to be related to his active service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, cervical radiculopathy, heart condition (presumably ischemic heart disease), eczema, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA medical opinions provided less than 50% probability for a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's chronic skin disorder and heart condition were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic seborrheic dermatitis, but the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for peripheral vestibular disorder remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected neurodermatitis disseminata has been rated at 60 percent since August 30, 2002. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a stomach disability, acne, and dental and gum disease due to potential new evidence and development needs.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition. The remaining claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. He will be rescheduled for a Travel Board or video-conference hearing at his local RO.

The Veteran's anxiety with depression and inverse psoriasis have not resulted in the level of impairment warranting a higher disability rating prior to December 12, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, finding no current diagnosis of the condition and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, but the issues of service connection for loose bowel movements and constipation are remanded due to a need for additional development.