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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including lichen planus, dermatitis, and eczema. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his current diagnosis of lichen planus is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as seborrheic dermatitis, is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acne and residual scarring from acne. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) has now vacated this decision, requiring further development to determine if the Veteran's preexisting acne was aggravated by her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, hemorrhoids, and tinea pedis. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been reopened, but remains denied. Service connection was granted for chloracne (presumptive). The Veteran's lumbar disc disease and skin disability were found to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral foot skin disability (palmoplantar pustulosis and tinea pedis) has been granted, with an effective date of the day following receipt of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including tinea versicolor and intertrigo, is denied as the evidence does not establish that his condition was incurred in or related to active duty service, particularly exposure to herbicides. His peripheral neuropathy claims are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis and its impact on his HIV infection. The claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal primarily concerns ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, neck and low back disabilities, radiculopathies, acne scarring, circumcision residuals, and chicken pox. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings in some cases but not others.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an adequate VA examination and additional development of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating for his headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial increased evaluation for spondylosis L5-S1 with spondylolisthesis L4-L5 was granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent. His dermatitis and lichen simplex chronicus were also granted an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it was continuous since his last period of active service.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is service-connected as it is due to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is at least as likely as not related to service, while his hypertension does not appear to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chest pain, specifically costochondritis, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.,The Board also found that the Veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as eczema, was incurred during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's post-coital mild dermatitis of the penis is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury or incident in service. The Board has determined that service connection for this condition is not warranted.

The Veteran's migraines are related to her active duty service and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depressive features, the Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating from July 5, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinea pedis (foot fungus), cervical degenerative disc disease, a back condition, and hand fungus have all been denied. The Veteran does not meet the threshold criteria for a current disability in any of these conditions as per VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his pre-existing psoriasis, which in turn caused or aggravated his psoriatic arthritis.