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

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea versicolor, cold injury residuals of the hands, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, anosmia, back disability, liver disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability), and diabetes mellitus, Type II were granted. The issues related to these conditions are now resolved.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the current severity and manifestations of the appellant's service-connected skin condition, tinea cruris, tinea pedis with onychomycosis. The issues of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea remain pending.

The Board found no CUE in the May 2003 rating decision that did not award a separate evaluation for nodulocystic and inflammatory papular acne with residual scarring of the torso, but assigned a 30 percent rating. The decision was consistent with the evidence then of record.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for psoriasis, either as an undiagnosed illness related to Southwest Asia service or secondary to other service-connected conditions. The Veteran's current psoriasis was not shown to have had its onset during active duty and the VA examiner opined it is less likely than not caused by his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his current hearing loss, skin (PFB), PTSD, left patellar tendon tendinosis, lumbar strain with mild degenerative joint disease, and left little finger boutonniere deformity and left index finger central slip injury to extensor mechanism.

The Veteran's skin disability, allergic contact dermatitis, is rated at a 10 percent level due to intermittent systemic therapy with prednisone.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have soft tissue sarcoma and his skin disorders did not manifest during active service or are causally related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his VA treatment records and readjudication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder), chronic sleep impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and nephropathy with hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service connection claims for acne, coronary artery disease (CAD), PTSD, DISH, and a right shoulder disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's preexisting umbilical hernia was not aggravated by active duty service, and therefore, he is denied service connection for the condition. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current sleep impairment, cyst on the head, psychiatric disability (PTSD), PFB, and tinnitus with his military service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a skin disability, to include eczema, tinea versicolor and pruritus, which was incurred in active military service.,Service connection has also been established for tinnitus, which the Veteran asserts is related to his time in service.

The Veteran's scalp disability is found to have arisen in service and is etiologically related, granting service connection for the condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for folliculitis, but further development is needed to determine if there is a relationship between his current skin condition and his presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability evaluation for tinea versicolor is denied as the increase in rating occurred after the date of his claim, and the earliest date on which he met the criteria for this increased rating was November 2013.

The Veteran's scleroderma has been rated at 60 percent since January 14, 2015. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met prior to this date.

The Veteran's Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete treatment records.

The Veteran's eczema and dermatitis were evaluated at a 10% rating prior to February 14, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin conditions are not attributable to his military service.