Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's psoriasis condition was not present during his service or for many years thereafter, and the evidence does not show a relationship to his military service. The Board denied the claim of service connection for psoriasis as due to toxic herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea with COPD and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lichen simplex claims are remanded for further evaluation due to unclear medical issues regarding the application of the old version of DC 7806 with respect to his treatment, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the percentage of body area affected.

The Veteran's dyshidrotic eczema, bladder cancer, vision impairment, and osteoarthritis of the left ankle have not been granted compensable ratings or service connection. The claims for dyshidrotic eczema and vision impairment are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for osteoarthritis of the left ankle is also denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeals seeking revision of the March 1995 rating decision regarding hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, seborrheic dermatitis of the face and scalp, and right hand and wrist rash on the basis of CUE have been dismissed based on res judicata.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eczema is granted. The Board finds that the criteria for a maximum 60 percent disability rating have been approximated since the beginning of the claim.,A VA mental health examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, had its onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service stressor. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, specifically eczema.,A VA neurological examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current neurological disorder in his lower extremities and to assess its relationship to his military service. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, specifically a lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a rating in excess of 30 percent for acne vulgaris, finding that the increase was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to December 2, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence and additional development of his medical records is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disorder and TDIU due to potential in-service exposure to herbicide agents, but with consideration of other diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, neck disability, and low back disability. Service connection is also remanded for right clavicle tumor, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The RO must obtain updated VA treatment records from various facilities and associate them with the claims file.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a compensable rating for tinea pedis, migraines, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral knee disability, skin disability (eczema), residuals of a head injury, tinnitus, and loss of teeth, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show continuity of symptoms since service and there was no medical nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for high cholesterol, PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, scar from cesarean sections, hysterectomy, left oophorectomy, tinnitus, pelvic pain after childbirth, right shoulder dislocation, rhinitis and sinusitis (claimed as allergies), bilateral plantar fasciitis, hypertension, eczema, lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and severe alopecia (claimed as cicatrical scarring alopecia) for additional development to verify service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without the aid of assistive devices, such as a wheelchair or cane. The Board has granted specially adapted housing for this reason.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for rash and sores has been reopened. The Board also remanded the cases of PTSD, invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the right ear, actinic keratosis, and actinic dermatitis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for seborrheic dermatitis as secondary to service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood as secondary to service-connected PFB, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is found to have its onset during active duty service, and the Board finds that his current condition is related to service. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinea pedis is rated at 0 percent and hypertension is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service or exposure to Agent Orange.