Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorder and foot disorder claims. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not (at least a 50 percent probability) that the Veteran's conditions are related to service, including his period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of his bilateral foot onychomycosis and tinea pedis during a flare-up.

The Board has found that the Veteran's eczema did not begin in service and is otherwise not related to service, including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The claim for PTSD was remanded but no additional examination or evidence was provided.

The Veteran's service-connected chloracne disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted based on worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in October 2011. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and a compensable evaluation were dismissed as the claims have been withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability and a skin disability, finding no causal link between the Veteran's in-service symptoms and his current conditions.

The Veteran's resolved tinea cruris with residual hyperpigmentation, bilateral tinea pedis, and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp are rated at 60 percent from May 8, 2012. The claims for higher ratings prior to that date remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability, including eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, dermatophytosis, and onychomycosis, had its onset during active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinea pedis is not related to his active service, specifically noting that there was no nexus between his in-service blister and his current condition. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea cruris, finding that the Veteran's current skin disability began during active service and is therefore directly incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's skin disorders are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted a TDIU and remanded the remaining issues for further action.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as chloracne and acne vulgaris, is related to his military service due to exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's PFB warrants a 60 percent initial rating based on constant or near-constant systemic therapy. The other claims are either denied or not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were awarded effective October 1, 2010. The Board finds that the earlier effective dates are denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and distal right tibia and fibular fracture are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder associated with herbicide exposure, bilateral hearing loss, speech disability, left shoulder disability, tingling in the hands, back disability, numbness of the legs with pain, PTSD, tension headaches, and TDIU was denied. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a skin disorder but denied service connection.