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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition.,Direct service connection for alcohol dependence is denied due to the Veteran's own willful misconduct.,Service connection for skin disorder (undiagnosed illness) is denied as there is no objective evidence of signs or symptoms.,Service connection for left lower extremity numbness and right lower extremity numbness (undiagnosed illness) are denied as there is no objective evidence of signs or symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the issues have not yet been recertified for further consideration.

The Veteran's skin rash, folliculitis of the face and neck, chloracne, folliculitis of the trunk and extremities, psoriasis of the hands, alopecia of the legs, and basal cell carcinoma/solar elastosis are all granted service connection. The skin rash was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for chloracne based on Agent Orange exposure. Service connection is denied for folliculitis of the trunk and extremities, psoriasis of the hands, alopecia of the legs, and basal cell carcinoma/solar elastosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral foot skin disorder (tinea pedis) are granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, residuals of cyst removal, and chloracne due to procedural errors. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with dyslipidemia remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA medical records and a need to reconsider whether he served in Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for Agent Orange exposure presumptions. The claims will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person, as his conditions are rated at 0 percent.

The Veteran's dermatitis is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected folliculitis is being remanded for additional development to assess the current severity of his condition and consider any systemic therapy he may have received.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS with anxiety, NOS is rated at 100 percent and he has other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. Therefore, the Veteran qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, PFB, skin conditions on the face and feet, hearing loss, tinnitus, shin splints, peripheral neuropathy, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted. The appeal regarding left knee condition, right knee condition, shin splints, and upper extremity peripheral neuropathies is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for low back disorder, recurrent fevers, respiratory disorder, and eczema have been reopened. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition is dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The case remains on remand for other issues.,The Veteran’s scoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine disability does not warrant a higher rating due to its current level of impairment.

The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to September 16, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, delusional disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and various other conditions are granted. Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and tinea versicolor, finding that the current treatment did not require regulation of activities or additional compensable complications.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral tinea pedis and PTSD for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of his tinea pedis versicolor and PFB rating were denied. The ED claim was not granted, the right knee scar claim did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and the tinea pedis versicolor with PFB claim had its rating reduced from 30% to 10%. No new evidence or service connection issues are discussed.

The Board has granted service connection for partial loss of hair of the scalp (claimed as a skin disorder) and denied service connection for a skin disorder other than partial loss of hair of the scalp, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, and kidney disorder. The decision is based on direct service connection due to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.