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

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 4, 2008 for the grant of service connection for residual scarring due to pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as there is no indication in the evidence that he successfully filed a claim to reopen his previously denied claim any earlier than August 4, 2008.

The appeal is being remanded to ensure compliance with the examination instructions given in previous Board remands. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for acne will be reconsidered.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including tinea pedis and plantar fasciitis. The Board has determined that the current examination and opinion are inadequate and remand is required for an additional VA examination and opinion.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's skin disorder was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran failed to appear for necessary VA aid and attendance examinations, which prevented the determination of whether he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as dermatitis and eczema, has been rated at 30 percent since November 2000. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on the symptoms described.

The Veteran requested a withdrawal of the appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The issues of an increased evaluation for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disabilities, including mycosis of the toenails and dyshidrotic foot eczema, did not have their onset in service or due to herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no credible evidence linking them to service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's contact dermatitis has been manifested by constant or near-constant itching, but no rashes. The condition is well-controlled with the use of antihistamines and topical medications. As such, an initial compensable disability rating for contact dermatitis is not warranted.

The Veteran's right knee internal derangement has been granted an initial noncompensable evaluation. Service connection for chloracne (claimed as a skin disability) due to herbicide exposure is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed, and thus his claim for reopening a service connection petition for psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome due to sepsis and cirrhosis, which were linked to his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinea unguium is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective prior to March 3, 2012. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating at any point during this period.

The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of acne vulgaris, bilateral shoulder disorder, clavicle disorder, or bilateral knee disorder. The Board finds that service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his claimed sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and initial compensable evaluation for chloracne are being remanded.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to procedural errors and a need for additional evidence, including VA examinations.