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

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that neither his service-connected conditions nor any other condition singly or in combination caused his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acne warrants a 60 percent rating, effective from May 16, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis and right ankle injury residuals do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, or bilateral pes planus. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability in these conditions at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's knee and foot conditions have been evaluated, but her initial disability ratings for these conditions remain denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's overpayment of $10,134.60 in VA pension benefits was found to be not against equity and good conscience due to his misunderstanding regarding income reporting requirements.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of the denial to reopen the claim for service connection for right leg numbness as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection was denied for Hepatitis C and cellulitis in the left knee.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is denied as the medications prescribed for his service-connected skin conditions do not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's skin condition has been manifested by the need for constant or near-constant systemic therapy and/or flare-ups that cover more than 40 percent of his body as of May 20, 2010. The Board granted a disability rating of 60 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA home loan benefits is being remanded due to the need to locate and associate any missing documents, obtain his complete service treatment and personnel records, and obtain any decision associated with his application for correction of his military records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, a skin disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and cubital tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tinea manus and pedis, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's PFB is rated at 10 percent, effective August 17, 2010. His diaphragmatic spasm is rated at 10 percent since June 20, 2012. The claims for right knee and left shoulder disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear damage with dizziness, sinusitis, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran's complaints of these conditions during service are supported by the medical records, which show symptoms such as pain, popping, dizziness, and drainage in his ears and nose.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, which adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on the area affected and treatment required.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae disability is rated at zero percent (noncompensable) since February 13, 2009. The RO will need to consider whether there have been times since the effective date of his award when his pseudofolliculitis barbae disability has been more severe than at others for the time period from February 2009 to the present.

The Veteran's current skin conditions, tinea versicolor and poikiloderma of civatte, are considered to have been caused by events in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed skin disabilities, including facial acne and lipoma. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease, resulting in edentulism, was granted. The claims for hypertension, bilateral cataracts, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied as not related to his active service or service-connected conditions.