Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2017

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability of the hands, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing eczema did not increase in severity during his periods of active service and that there was no evidence of a current skin disability related to service.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is not related to his service, as it was a self-limiting condition. The Board finds that he does not have current sinusitis and thus cannot establish service connection for this issue.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with venous stasis dermatitis of the lower extremities (formerly tinea cruris) which is currently present. However, his in-service rash was resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to pursue and maintain gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disabilities, including skin cancer, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, were not incurred or aggravated by active service and are not disabilities presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea, skin disorders, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations. The condition affects less than 5% of his entire body and exposed areas, without requiring systemic therapy.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms have been minimal, with occasional bloating and belching. He is currently receiving treatment for his condition.,His PFB has not caused deep acne on the face or neck, as he only experiences superficial bumps that do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's chloracne is presumed to have been incurred due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and the Board finds that this condition meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid disorder, asthma, eczema, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability (likely PTSD), diabetes mellitus, type II, and heart disease. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for keloids of the left ear and neck.

The Veteran's PTSD, tinea versicolor, and tinnitus were all rated at their maximum allowable levels under the applicable VA rating criteria. The combined rating for these conditions was correctly calculated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience, effective October 16, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new evaluations or service connections.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current skin disability, and the Veteran's previously diagnosed tinea pedis and eczematous dermatitis have resolved. The VA examinations did not find any active areas of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis, including onychomycosis, is a condition that was incurred during service and continues to affect him post-service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule her for appropriate VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and examination results.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for new medical examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected skin condition and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical and employment records, including those from Amtrak and the Railroad Retirement Board. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran is entitled to restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for folliculitis barbae of multiple areas, effective June 1, 2015. The issue of an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent remains on appeal.

The Veteran's acne keloiditis and associated scarring are currently rated as 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7819 for benign skin neoplasms. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back, knee, and ankle disabilities that result in difficulty with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, preparing meals, and medication management.