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

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection of Acne and a rating in excess of 0 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as his helplessness was due to nonservice-connected disabilities such as stroke and brain cancer. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for accrued benefits purposes is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and facet arthritis, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and left hip bursitis. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and right ankle disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective May 2, 2005. The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance was granted effective April 3, 2006.

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to September 8, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee degenerative arthritis as well as atopic dermatitis prior to February 13, 2015, and on or after that date have all been denied.

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

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis is rated at 30 percent from November 13, 2013 to June 21, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current skin disability, and a request for additional medical records is made.

The Veteran's Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) has not been shown to affect at least five percent of his entire body or exposed areas, and no intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs have been required. Therefore, the claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings and service connection are not fully addressed due to a lack of VA examinations, particularly regarding his skin conditions, foot disabilities, back disability, and psychiatric disorder. The Board is remanding these issues for further development.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection of acne and assigned a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection of acne and assigned a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection of Acne and a rating in excess of 0 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for dermatitis, claimed as a skin condition on the chest, back, and hands, is dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including as due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran’s current skin condition is related to his military service or to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance for his left knee brace was denied because the evidence did not document continued use of the device, including no sign of recent maintenance or replacement.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's need for aid and attendance began on September 11, 2009, due to her severe physical and mental disabilities caused by a Staph infection. As of this date, she required regular assistance from another person.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2015 due to use of skin medications (Melaquin HP 4% Cream and Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Lotion). The other claims are denied.