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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing his claims for service connection for hypertension and PTSD, as well as entitlement to a compensable rating for tinea cruris. The Veteran will have the opportunity to perfect his appeal by filing a substantive appeal if he wishes.

The Veteran's eczema with residual scars to hands, abdomen, thighs and legs is rated at 60 percent since the onset of constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for post-inflammatory hypopigmentation due to tinea versicolor is granted, and service connection for a lumbar spine condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his low back disorder, tinea, sleep disorder, and left leg disorder.

The Veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as nummular eczema, dermatitis, and furunculosis, is caused by his service-connected PTSD. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin conditions, including contact dermatitis, tinea cruris (jock itch), and tinea pedis, are not related to his service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records, as well as for further development of his claims. The primary issues are the severity of his service-connected skin conditions of the feet, a psychiatric condition related to an in-service assault, and residuals of cold injuries from active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Cold sores have been diagnosed since service and are attributed to herpes simplex type 1. Service connection has been established for psoriasis, but no service connection has been granted for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection for GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, as well as psoriasis, has been granted. The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Service connection for cold sores/herpes, peripheral vestibular disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, joint pain in the hips, knees, elbows, fingers, toes, neck, and spine (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), muscle pain in the neck and upper and lower back (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder claimed as due to Gulf War illness, and sleep disturbances claimed as due to Gulf War illness have also been granted. The 60 percent disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis has been restored.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema, left epicondylitis, a left hip condition, and a lumbar spine condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, which meets the criteria for this level of disability based on her treatment with topical corticosteroids.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Voc-Rehab records and an examination to assess his occupational impairment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for urticaria and tinea versicolor, suggesting a current chronic skin condition may have its onset in service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence establishing a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy affecting the bilateral upper extremities. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) will be remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether pre-existing tinea pedis was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a dermatology examination.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for acne conglobata of the buttocks and face was remanded due to a need for further development, including a new VA examination. The appeal is now pending again.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 10, 2012 were reimbursed as the emergency treatment was provided for a service-connected disability (chronic kidney disease and heart problems).

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher initial rating for PFB and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and epididymitis. The Board found no current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.

The Veteran's eczematic dermatitis disability is rated at 60 percent since February 14, 2014. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 14, 2014 was granted.

The Veteran's urinary disorder, variously diagnosed as chronic non-specific urethritis; dysuria; prostatitis; and, benign prostatitis hypertrophy, had its onset during his period of active military service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on this claim for service connection.