Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and remanded the issues of service connection for a neck condition, lower back condition, shortness of breath, and sleeping disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for hemorrhoids due to the lack of current evidence of a disability. The case is remanded for obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination regarding his left and right foot tinea pedis.

The Board found that a timely substantive appeal was not received as to the July 2004 rating decision, which denied service connection for numbness arms and legs, residual from laceration right medial calf, hypertension, residual of battery acid in left eye, and right shoulder rotator cuff tear. The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of December 12, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and a rating for acne has been granted, with the highest possible rating of 100%.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and acne have not been rated higher than the current evaluations, with the abscesses requiring further development.,Residuals of recurrent abscesses with scarring are being remanded for additional information.

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

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis is rated at 10 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne, due to exposure to burn pits during service, is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and remanded the issue of increasing rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for back disability, asthma, and eczema as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board found that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim, but denied service connection due to lack of a nexus between current tinnitus and active service. The Veteran is not entitled to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or automobile/adaptive equipment benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow gainful employment, thus his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand are related to his service-connected acne scars of the upper back, upper chest, face, and left inguinal area. The VA has been requested to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a new examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and psoriasis are related to his military service, including herbicide exposure.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is precluded from performing a job in the music or IT field, and his occupation for which he was rehabilitated remains suitable. Therefore, reentrance into vocational rehabilitation is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and eczematous dermatitis are all rated at their maximum levels. The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted. The appeals regarding the evaluation of PTSD and remand for additional examinations are noted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle disorder, acne, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and PTSD. The evidence did not support current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened and granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is also granted.