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

The Veteran's hypertension is service connected as a result of herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran was granted an initial compensable rating for folliculitis from January 18, 2011 to January 18, 2012. Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities has been established.

The Veteran's neurodermatitis has been granted a higher initial rating of 60 percent from February 10, 2012 to May 12, 2016. Service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is not established.

The Veteran's service connected conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis of the face, elbows, hands, scalp, groin, and axilla, rated at 60 percent, and pes planus, rated at 50 percent, render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on this combination.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of the issues on appeal, including service connection, rating, and TDIU issues.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and spine and right knee disabilities, but severed service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and limitation of flexion in the right knee is set at April 27, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected fungal condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right wrist/hand disorders and associated residuals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including plantar dermatitis and perianal sinus and cyst/abscesses, as due to herbicide agent exposure (Agent Orange). The Board found that there was no current disability related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran is granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and traumatic headaches, with initial ratings of 10% each. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 10% prior to March 5, 2009, and remains at that rating from March 5, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acne of the face does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder and vision disorders are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides.,There is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his dysthymic disorder with anxiety and depressive disorder, do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his educational and occupational background. However, as of April 6, 2012, no single service-connected disability renders him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his ingrown toenails and hyperhidrosis with dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder arthritis is at least as likely as not related to his active service, granting service connection for this disability. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disabilities, including folliculitis, atopic dermatitis, and eczema, are not related to his military service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine his need for pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on being housebound. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for acne vulgaris was granted, with a 30 percent disability rating effective May 8, 1998. The claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for acne vulgaris was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a foot disability, to include tinea pedis and frostbite, has been granted. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is reopened.

The Veteran's dermatitis has been rated at 10 percent since March 27, 2015 and is now rated at 60 percent. The condition requires constant or near-constant systemic therapy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a comprehensive VA examination to assess the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment.