Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's skin conditions, including skin cancer, are related to his military service and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and herbicide agents. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s skin condition is due to these exposures.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and onychomycosis were granted a 60 percent rating effective September 2, 2010, based on the need for systemic therapy.

The Veteran's psoriasis is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence, thus granting service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence, resulting in denial of service connection.,The Veteran's migraines are aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence, leading to the grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, and psoriasis. The Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and hammertoes and degenerative arthritis of the right foot, finding that new evidence did not establish a link to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) as there was no evidence of a compensable disability due to his service-connected PFB.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder was received on April 27, 2011. The Board has determined that an effective date prior to April 27, 2011 is not warranted as the claim was not filed within one year of separation from service and no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, chloracne, and skin rashes. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, but the Board found that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions and thus denied the claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and rating due to insufficient previous examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected atopic dermatitis did not warrant a compensable rating prior to March 9, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent from March 9, 2016, to October 31, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic dermatitis and mycotic toenails due to missing private treatment records, unclear opinions from the VA examiner regarding the relationship of his conditions to service or a service-connected disability, and further clarification on exposure basis.

The Veteran's skin rash to include allergic contact dermatitis with nummular eczema is granted as service connection due to it being an undiagnosed illness during his active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.,The Veteran's severe lower back pain is granted as service connection because he provided competent and credible lay statements supporting an in-service injury, and a private medical opinion supports a nexus between current disability and service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.,The Veteran's claim for obesity was previously denied and no new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's service-connected acne has resulted in scarring of the face and neck that includes some scars over 0.6 centimeters wide, elevated and depressed, with abnormal texture and hypopigmentation. The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for this condition. However, his claim for a compensable rating for acne of the chest, arms, and back remains pending as it requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's PFB affects less than 5 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, and was treated by no more than topical therapy for a duration of less than six weeks during the past 12 months. As such, he is not entitled to an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is requesting that the previously denied claims for service connection be reconsidered as accrued benefits or on a substitution basis. The RO must adjudicate these issues.

The Board denied service connection for dermatitis/eczema of the neck and arms, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities including hearing loss and ankle sprain, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, OSA, fibromyalgia, CFS, GERD, and acne, all claimed as secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.