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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The issues of service connection and reopening claims remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU benefits based on the evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for psoriasis and a rating in excess of 30 percent for sinusitis, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The only medical opinion provided supported this conclusion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected tinea versicolor is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the provision of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his penile disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed condition either began during or was otherwise caused by his military service, including his deployment in the Persian Gulf region.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorders, including pseudofolliculitis barbae and tinea versicolor, are service-connected. The hypertension and knee disorders have also been granted as new and material evidence was submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's chloracne is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for folliculitis barbae, actinic keratosis, and skin cancer were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the current severity of his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) from April 28, 1971 to the present. The case will be readjudicated based on this new information.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for psoriasis and found that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current psoriasis and his service. The right leg arthritis was not shown to be related to service, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance by another individual.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, manifested by onychomycosis and tinea pedis, warrants a 10 percent rating for each foot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot injury and mass (variously diagnosed) is denied as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during service, and the current diagnoses are not causally related to service.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for a skin disorder due to in-service herbicide exposure, finding that new evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service. The RO has provided several VA examinations but the evidence does not support a causal relationship.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective June 15, 2010. The TDIU claim is dismissed as the PTSD rating already meets the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to April 4, 2011 for a 30 percent evaluation for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is denied as the Veteran did not receive notice of the initial grant of service connection in December 2001 and could not have appealed it due to his incarceration at that time.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for vesicular tinea pedis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for chloracne, which is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure. Resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his currently diagnosed chloracne is etiologically related to his in-service Agent Orange exposure.