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

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the increased disability ratings for anxiety disorder and dermatitis before a decision was made.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, tinea pedis and tinea cruris, polymorphous light eruption (PLE), scars, residual of a shrapnel wound to the right leg, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of malaria. The Veteran's contentions and treatment records indicate current diagnoses.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from September 11, 2011. The claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was reopened and denied due to lack of evidence relating current condition to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of dyshidrotic eczema and multiple sclerosis are not related to her active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's in-service skin conditions, including heat rash, contact dermatitis, or atopic distribution follicular rash, caused her current dyshidrotic eczema. Additionally, there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's multiple sclerosis and her active duty service.

The Veteran's skin disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent as it affects less than 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas, and has not required constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private medical records, ensuring all notification letters are associated with the file, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and a right hip disorder, as new and material evidence has been received. The skin condition is not shown to be related to service, headaches are not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service, and there is no diagnosis of a left shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected ulcerative colitis substantially contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals from a head cyst removal are service-connected, but his bilateral foot disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for acne conglobata of the buttocks and face, as well as for acne conglobata of the buttocks and back, have been denied. The current disability ratings are found to be appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and therefore, her claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves service connection for a skin disorder, including dermatitis. The issues of entitlement to TDIU remain before the Board and are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the service connection claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of neurodermatitis and prurigo nodularis, which are considered chronic diseases. Given his in-service onset of symptoms and credible lay statements, the Board determines that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's mood disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from August 23, 2016. He also has other service-connected disabilities that meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and he meets the statutory requirements for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a skin condition, which he contends is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA skin examination.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is not considered to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides or immunizations.

The Veteran's skin disability, tinea cruris, has not been found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule. The current level of impairment is less than 5% of total body area or exposed areas affected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the appellant's SSA records, military dependent treatment records, and medical opinions. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus and other conditions such as metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, ingrown toenails, tinea pedis, tibial sesamoiditis, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), and osteoarthritis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was found to have been permanently aggravated by his active duty service.