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

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow gainful employment, thus his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand are related to his service-connected acne scars of the upper back, upper chest, face, and left inguinal area. The VA has been requested to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a new examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and psoriasis are related to his military service, including herbicide exposure.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is precluded from performing a job in the music or IT field, and his occupation for which he was rehabilitated remains suitable. Therefore, reentrance into vocational rehabilitation is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and eczematous dermatitis are all rated at their maximum levels. The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted. The appeals regarding the evaluation of PTSD and remand for additional examinations are noted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle disorder, acne, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and PTSD. The evidence did not support current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened and granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis as the evidence did not show they were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than January 28, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board finds that the proper effective date is the date of receipt of the claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.,The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than January 28, 2011 for a higher evaluation for psoriasis. The evidence shows systemic therapy with immunosuppressive drugs starting more than one year prior to the date of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding the claim was not new and material.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's skin condition, including rashes and sores, due to exposure to Agent Orange or other chemical agents. The claim was denied as there is insufficient evidence linking any current conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for acne due to burn pit exposure, finding the claim was not new and material.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of seborrheic dermatitis was dismissed. An initial evaluation of 70% for major depressive disorder prior to October 20, 2011, and TDIU prior to February 14, 2007, were granted.

The Board granted service connection for psoriasis and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine myositis. The Veteran's current diagnoses are psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and chronic strain of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, tinea corporis (skin fungus), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not necessitate the care or assistance of another person on a regular basis to assist him in activities of daily living, or to protect him from hazards or dangers of his daily environment.,His spouse’s need for regular aid and attendance of another was also denied as there is no evidence that she required such assistance due to her own service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for tinea pedis of the left foot was denied, and his application to reopen the claim of service connection for a right foot disability is granted.,The Board has remanded several issues including entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD, an effective date earlier than January 13, 2015 for a 50 percent rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, aortic stenosis, hypertension, keloids on the chest, and chloracne are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for PTSD remains denied.