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

The Veteran's skin disability, eczema and dermatitis, has been rated at 60 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not show more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas are affected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, to include chloracne, and to include as due to in-service herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral knee and hearing loss, burn scar disability, obstructive sleep apnea, TBI, high blood pressure, back disability, and tinnitus. The effective date for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was not earlier than September 27, 2012.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, chronic herpes progenitalis and condyloma of the scrotum (skin rash), and tinea pedis with history of tinea corporis have been granted service connection. However, he is only entitled to a non-compensable rating for his skin conditions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the June 2007 rating decision for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 was denied due to lack of evidence showing additional injury resulting from VA treatment, and his claims for increased evaluations were also denied based on the absence of additional disability attributable to negligence or other fault on the part of VA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for retained shell fragments in his left leg and foot, as well as an eye disability to include glaucoma. The issues of bilateral hearing loss disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher disability rating for his psychiatric disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability manifested by fatigue, hypertension, or dermatitis/eczema (claimed as skin irritation on the legs and arms). His headaches are service connected as tension headaches.

The Board granted service connection for PFB and tinea versicolor effective July 28, 2005. The Veteran's claim was filed on May 15, 2006, which is considered the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin issues, including chloracne and sebaceous cysts, were not shown to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents. The claim was denied as there is no evidence linking the current conditions to his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection and initial evaluations for various conditions, with the exception of PTSD prior to October 20, 2015. The right great toe disability is rated at 20 percent, while the low back disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired skin disabilities, including skin cancer, were not incurred or aggravated in service and are not related to his service-connected conditions. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's additional disabilities, including dermatitis of the hands, back pain, right leg pain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, are not service-connected as a result of VA treatment for his total knee arthroplasty. The Board finds that there is no legal basis to consider these conditions secondary to residuals of right total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chloracne, a skin disability, which he claims is due to his exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam. The Board has determined that the case should be remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his scrotal and jaw conditions. The Board finds that further development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The skin disability is not related to active service, while the psychiatric disability claim is also denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity.

The Veteran's tinea pedis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist and hand traumatic arthritis, skin disability (including chloracne), and neurological disability of the upper extremities to include peripheral neuropathy and/or carpal tunnel syndrome. The effective date remains August 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video-conference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for knee disabilities and eczema, as well as an increased rating for hypertension, are now pending before the Board.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis with fungal nail disease, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for eczema and posttraumatic headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.