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

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current skin disorder and his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides or fungus. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the current symptomatology of her service-connected eczema.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and the signed consent form for his right knee arthroplasty.

The Board found that the Veteran's dermatophytosis tinea pedis was not shown in service and did not find a causal link to active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence does not support a grant of benefits in any of these cases.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether currently diagnosed keloids are etiologically related to service, specifically acne vulgaris. As a result, the Veteran's claim for service connection for his skin condition, including as secondary to ionizing radiation exposure in service, is granted.

The Veteran's scars of the neck due to acne do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent, as they result in no more than three characteristics of disfigurement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred or aggravated by service, as it was noted at service entrance and did not worsen beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's service-connected left femur stress fracture and right medial condyle stress fracture residuals are associated with his bilateral hip and knee symptoms. The Board found that the Veteran has a qualifying chronic disability characterized by upper and lower back pain with radiation into the lower extremities, which is presumed to be related to active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for service connection as defined by VA regulations.,For the period prior to June 14, 2015, the Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for dermatitis/eczema due to lack of evidence showing more than five percent of his entire body or exposed areas affected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD with hyperlordosis, scoliosis, and retrolisthesis is related to service. The skin disability and headaches are currently under consideration.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the tinea pedis being related to his active service. The Veteran's depression claim was withdrawn prior to a decision. A rating of 30 percent for PTSD has been assigned effective January 25, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The appeal is currently in remand status due to missing records and the need for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and providing new VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied these claims.,Service connection for athlete's foot was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected and has been denied.,Prior to November 22, 2013, the Veteran's back strain with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine was rated as 10 percent disabling and remains denied.,Effective from November 22, 2013, the Veteran's back strain with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine has been granted a 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's follicular eczema with acne is not service-connected and has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the current severity and extent of his psoriasis. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chloracne did not manifest in service or for a significant period thereafter, and is not otherwise related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for chloracne cannot be established.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including the claims for skin disability, traumatic brain injury, and earlier effective date for PTSD service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a skin condition of the feet/toenails are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing supplemental VA medical opinions.