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

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The effective date of the award is set to the date of receipt of the claim (October 24, 1995).

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which combined are at least 40% disabling and prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for chloracne and hypertension. The previously denied claims are therefore not reopened.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with vulvar lesions, ulcerations, and cysts, neurodermatitis, folliculitis, impetigo, dermatitis, psoriasis, shingles, and hypertension. The evidence indicates these conditions have persisted since service.,Service records show the Veteran reported vaginal symptoms (including warts) and skin issues in service. Her current diagnoses are consistent with her reported symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea cruris was rated at a 10 percent disability rating from July 14, 2010 to February 25, 2011. After that date, the condition did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation for recurrent seborrheic dermatitis with pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to August 11, 2011 and thus no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's tinea cruris was granted service connection and assigned a non-compensable rating effective May 7, 2007. The Board found that the criteria for an initial increased rating above non-compensable have not been met.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private treatment records from his doctors. A VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted, and the Veteran is assigned a 10% rating. The effective date of this grant is June 26, 2013. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and he did not establish entitlement to service connection or compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other form of presumed exposure. The diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for seborrheic keratosis, dermatophytosis, and tinea/tinea interdigital as skin disorders that began during active service. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have also been found to warrant a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches was denied in a May 1969 rating decision. The effective date of the grant of service connection for tension headaches is October 26, 2010.

The Board found that an effective date prior to August 20, 2009 for the award of service connection for seborrheic dermatitis with pseudofolliculitis barbae is not warranted. The appeal regarding a higher rating for the skin disability remains on hold due to outstanding records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for acne, but did not address other issues.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and chloracne of the back and right leg are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were previously denied in September 2010. No new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for acne and emphysema due to new evidence. However, further development is needed as VA did not provide a medical examination or opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed disabilities before making this determination.