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

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disorders of eczema and stasis dermatitis did not begin during service or are related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PFB, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or dyschromia, and primary insomnia have been granted. The claim for sleep apnea is pending as secondary to the service-connected primary insomnia.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining post-service treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his service-connected skin disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as neurodermatitis, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition, including bilateral pes planus and tinea unguium of the toenails, did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder of the lower extremities, including as due to herbicide exposure and secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current eczema is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for eczematous dermatitis is denied as his skin disorder does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.,Service connection for a right hand or finger disorder, specifically residual scarring of the right third finger, is granted. However, service connection for any other right hand or finger disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance and specially adapted equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities. No compensable rating is assigned for tinea pedis with onychomycosis (feet fungus) or TMJ disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's dyshidrosis of the bilateral hands and feet has affected less than five percent of his entire body and less than five percent of exposed areas, and is treated only with topical lotion. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eczema was denied, and the issue of service connection for PTSD remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD is dismissed as the benefit sought (a 70% rating) has already been granted. The issue of service connection for PFB is also dismissed due to lack of justiciable case or controversy.

The Veteran's claim for a rating higher than 30 percent for cystic acne is denied due to failure to report for a VA examination. The issue of whether the reduction from 100 percent to 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss effective July 1, 2014 was proper has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and undiagnosed illnesses. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dermatological disorder, specifically seborrheic dermatitis, is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic skin condition in service or within one year after discharge. The current diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis was first noted many years after service and not related to any events or exposures during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic skin disability of the lower extremities, including stasis dermatitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as non-compensable, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The issues of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and eczema are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and unguim, syncope, asthma, and COPD are granted. However, his claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.