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

The Board finds that the Veteran's current skin disorders are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that any current skin disorder is due to in-service events.

The Veteran's skin rash on upper body and heart attack have been reopened due to new evidence. The current diagnoses support these claims.,PTSD has also been reopened, with the Veteran having ongoing psychiatric treatment records.

The Board finds that service-connected bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's death, granting entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's PFB is also found to be related to his military service.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective May 14, 2010. Effective November 8, 2011, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, hypertension, swelling of the legs and hands, as well as reopening a claim for basal cell carcinoma. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims based on herbicide exposure or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue, skin disorder, psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability characterized by chronic fatigue or any other qualifying chronic disability related to undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's skin disorder was not shown to be due to exposure in the Persian Gulf War.,The Veteran has multiple diagnoses for her skin condition, including eczema and tinea infections. However, these conditions are not considered manifestations of a Gulf War-related undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's skin disability, characterized by pruritus and asteatotic eczema, is rated at the highest available level of 60 percent under Diagnostic Code 7806 due to constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and cruris have worsened, and a new examination is required to determine the extent of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA aid and attendance/housebound examination. The claims for increased ratings will also be adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and opinions regarding service connection claims. The Veteran's attorney was advised that a brief should be resubmitted if intended.

The Veteran's service-connected folliculitis barbae requires medication that tends to stain his clothing, and the Board has granted a clothing allowance for the year 2015 based on this condition.

The case is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the likelihood that any current skin condition is related to service. The Veteran's intermittent nature of his skin condition makes scheduling an appropriate examination challenging.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the current severity of his service-connected skin conditions, including recurrent abscesses related to MRSA and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's service-connected eczema, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's other claims related to left foot amputation and peripheral neuropathy have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of IBS and service connection for cholecystectomy, peptic ulcer disease, esophageal spasm, muscle tension headaches, and memory loss have been granted. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board found no evidence of in-service diabetes mellitus or a skin disorder, and the Veteran did not provide credible evidence of herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for both conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and right axilla phlebitis are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the period of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected folliculitis, granuloma left upper scrotal wall warrants a compensable rating of 10 percent under DC 7804 based on pain and instability.