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

The Veteran's skin disorder, including chloracne and dermatitis, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as the criteria for an effective date prior to the dates of his initial claims or diagnoses have not been met.,The effective dates assigned by the RO are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record and VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and asthma as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after military service.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne is granted, and he is assigned a 100% rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service and granted. The cases of rhinitis, asthma, skin disability (including as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder), and right foot fungus are remanded for further examination.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent disability rating for psoriasis, finding that the reduction from a 30 percent rating to 0 percent was improper due to insufficient evidence of improvement in his condition.

This case involves multiple issues including an earlier effective date for bilateral pes planus, service connection for tinnitus with consideration of CUE in a 1977 rating decision, and ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The Board has remanded these matters due to the need for further action.,An earlier effective date is denied for the increased evaluation of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the claim filing on January 14, 2013. The Veteran's contention regarding tinnitus service connection is also denied due to lack of a formal or informal communication indicating intent to apply for service connection before June 14, 2010.,Right and left knee disabilities are remanded as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's dermatitis and right leg numbness conditions are not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, with the exception of residual eye damage.,The Veteran has been denied service connection for residuals of eye damage due to lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for coccygeal strain, lumbar strain, left hip DJD status post stress fracture, and acne dermatillomania as secondary to service-connected obsessive compulsive disorder. Service connection was denied for left knee strain, right hip strain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for post-exertional fatigue has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for a skin disorder, to include folliculitis, has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and sleep disturbances, has been reopened and granted.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection of Acne and a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne, due to exposure to burn pits during service, is granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection and rating evaluation for acne has been granted, with a 100% disability rating.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's contact dermatitis is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, neck pain, bilateral ankle and lower leg pain, bilateral knee pain, shin splints, hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory condition (to include asthma), and skin condition (to include eczema and dermatitis). The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for gout of the right and left big toes, as well as a skin disorder (eczema), finding that there was no in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms, and that any current conditions are not causally related to service.