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

The Veteran's initial ratings for left facial spasm, porphyria cutanea tarda with diabetic skin complications of tinea pedis and tinea cruris, PTSD and depression, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The maximum schedular rating was assigned for the skin conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left and right knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, and other conditions, collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his employability.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for a skin disorder characterized as atopic dermatitis (claimed as rash on face back, side, thighs, and neck), to include as due to service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed skin disability. A PTSD examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has not met the criteria for a higher rating as it does not involve 20 percent or more of the entire body or exposed areas affected, nor systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of six weeks or more.,The Veteran's internal hemorrhoids have not manifested in large or thrombotic, irreducible, with excessive redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrences; persistent bleeding and secondary anemia; or fissures. Therefore, they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his exfoliative dermatitis and its impact on his left fourth finger.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new and relevant medical evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's claims include service connection for various orthopedic, psychiatric, and skin conditions.

The Veteran's skin disability, including eczema, is being remanded for additional development as the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and private treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's PFB is found to have developed during service and continues to the present day.,There is no current diagnosis of a back disability. The Veteran's complaints are not supported by medical evidence.,PTSD was denied as the Veteran did not report PTSD symptoms or meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,Hair loss was diagnosed in service, but there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for a skin disorder characterized as atopic dermatitis (claimed as rash on face back, side, thighs, and neck), to include as due to service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of his foot conditions. The effective date for service connection for sleep apnea remains under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance as there was no certification from the Under Secretary of Health that the Veteran uses medication prescribed by a physician for his service-connected skin disability, which causes irreparable damage to the applicant's outer garments.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae affected less than 5 percent of the total body surface or exposed areas and did not require systemic therapy. However, he suffered from chronic pain and irritation in the affected areas, warranting a compensable rating of 10%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinea pedis is granted. The issue of service connection for a left heel wound is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PFB has been rated as noncompensable since February 2005. However, the Board found that a compensable rating of 10 percent is warranted for the period from October 5, 2006 to January 5, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea cruris with tinea pedis is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for keratolysis exfoliativa and dermatitis was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of infectious hepatitis (now claimed as hepatitis B).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his lumbosacral spine condition, render him unable to protect himself from daily environmental hazards and he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including melanoma in situ and invasive melanoma, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, dermatoheliosis, tinea corporis, and tinea pedia, were not found to be related to service or exposure to herbicides.