Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge from service for the period prior to February 2, 1991 was not a bar to VA benefits. However, his subsequent service during and after this period is considered dishonorable, thus barring him from receiving VA compensation benefits for any diseases or injuries incurred or aggravated during these periods.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for his scar status post ventral hernia repair was granted. The claims for service connection for left leg disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae are pending, with the latter requiring further development.

The Veteran's PTSD, hepatitis C, and tinea pedis were all granted service connection. The Veteran was awarded a rating of 30 percent for PTSD, 20 percent for hepatitis C, and no compensation for the bilateral feet condition.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was rated at 30 percent prior to January 24, 2017. Effective January 24, 2017, the rating for this condition has been increased to 60 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for eczema from March 1, 2011 to January 7, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the condition did not meet the criteria for a non-compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, rendering moot the claim for a TDIU. Service connection was granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent as it affects less than 20% of his entire body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy is required.

The Veteran's heart disease, sleep apnea, skin diseases, gastrointestinal disease, and nerve damage are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and/or hypertension. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, both initially manifest during periods of active duty training (ADT).

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for chloracne of the face and neck effective September 25, 2001. The earlier effective date of February 21, 2001 was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current skin condition or low back disability attributable to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD with MDD, left shoulder condition, right and left knee conditions, pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinnitus, and right knee condition, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Veteran is therefore eligible for TDIU.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected acne vulgaris was denied as the evidence did not show deep and extensive involvement affecting more than 40% of the face and neck.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer has been reopened and is now granted. The evidence received since the final denial supports a finding that bladder cancer may be related to prostate cancer, which is considered service-connected.,Service connection for chloracne was not established as new and material evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected dermatitis, finding that the Veteran's skin disorder covered less than 20 percent of his entire body or at least 5 percent but less than 20 percent of exposed areas, and did not require intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's skin, cardiovascular, eye, and circulatory conditions were not shown to be related to service or any incident therein. The Board found no evidence of a current disability for the purposes of establishing service connection.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed left ankle disability, bilateral tinea pedis, or a disability manifested by body temperature irregularity.,Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's migraine headaches and dyshidrotic eczema are related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral foot problems, hypertension, and a gastrointestinal condition are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with mild depression. The claim for hypertension was reopened, but not granted. The claim for dermatitis/seborrheic dermatitis remains pending.