Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does he have ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral keratoconus, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for cervical strain was also denied.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and herpes zoster were granted service connection. The Board also found that the evidence was at least in equipoise for his other conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability, costochondritis, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, psoriasis, heart disability, hypertension, IBS, cholecystectomy, and thyroid disability.

Allergic rhinitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were granted service connection effective August 26, 2008. The Veteran's claims for new and material evidence for sickle cell trait with bleeding and migraines, sleep apnea due to Gulf War exposure, erectile dysfunction secondary to hernia and medications for sickle cell trait, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, initial compensable rating for inguinal hernia, and initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) are remanded.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including muscle spasms, lumbar and cervical spine disorders, hip, knee, ankle, and leg disorders, PTSD, GERD with chronic gastritis and duodenitis, and eczematous dermatitis. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of spinal meningitis. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for psoriasis in April 1996, and new evidence has reopened the claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis, fibrocystic disease status post bilateral mastectomy, LQTS status post heart failure, adenomyosis status post hysterectomy, and lumbar spine disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective from September 23, 2014 to October 26, 2015. The Veteran experienced total social and occupational impairment during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's skin condition is an undiagnosed illness related to his Persian Gulf service or chemical exposure. The claim for a skin condition, also claimed as contact dermatitis, will be further evaluated with additional medical opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, low back disability, bilateral wrist disabilities (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and right knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection of Acne and a rating in excess of 30 percent.

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

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastric ulcer was denied in September 2010 and is not reopened.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied as the evidence does not show that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examinations. The issues include shin splints, left ankle disability, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and onychomycosis and tinea pedis of both feet.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. Service connection for dermatitis involving the neck and arms is remanded due to lack of relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma and dermatitis are related to his active service, specifically due to exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's current dermatitis is not related to his service, and the Board denied this claim.,The Veteran's tension headaches are found to be proximately due to his service-connected tinnitus, and the claim for service connection was granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder, other specified anxiety disorder, and panic disorder) is found to be related to his time in active service, and the claim for service connection was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the elbow, bilateral acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, bilateral patellar femoral syndrome, degenerative spondylosis, dermatitis, and IBS. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by his competent testimony regarding symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including DDD of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, dermatitis, squamous cell skin cancer, CTS, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, TBI, and migraine headaches. The Board found that there was no in-service injury or event supporting the claims for these conditions.