Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis has been reopened, with the new evidence showing a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issue of a higher (compensable) initial disability rating for chronic dermatitis has become moot.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chloracne due to exposure to herbicides. The RO denied the claim, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's chloracne is related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any skin, toenail, or peripheral neuropathy disabilities. The Veteran claims these conditions are related to service in Korea.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 5, 2010 for the assignment of a 60 percent evaluation for contact dermatitis with keloidal scarring.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and folliculitis were treated with systemic antibiotic therapy from August 28, 2008 to October 23, 2008. Prior to February 1, 2016, the condition covered less than 5% of his entire body or exposed areas.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating as it affects less than 5 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, does not require systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, and does not have any characteristics of disfigurement listed in the relevant regulation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including tinea corporis, was denied. The Board found that the tinea corporis is not related to her military service and does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including basal cell carcinoma excision; actinic keratosis, multiple scars; and dermatitis not otherwise specified, lesion on right anterior chest, are service-connected. His loss of nails in both feet is also service-connected. The Veteran's PTSD is also service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The decision also includes a finding of service connection for idiopathic non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.

The Veteran's psoriasis has not affected at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body or exposed areas, and does not require intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids. Therefore, he is not entitled to an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development as there are outstanding VA treatment records and examinations that have not been associated with the claims file.,The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae will be remanded to determine if he has a current diagnosis of this condition, and whether it is related to his military service.,The Veteran's right knee disability, left foot disability, residuals of cold injury of the right hand, and residuals of cold injury of the left hand will be remanded for an examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for plantar fasciitis of the right foot will be remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.,The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of cold injury of the right hand and left hand will be remanded for an examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for plantar fasciitis of the right foot will be remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development as the most recent medical evidence of record was received nearly three years ago and he has provided a lay statement asserting his service-connected disabilities are more severely disabling than reflected in the currently assigned ratings.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis has not affected more than 5% of his entire body or exposed areas, and only required topical therapy. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service. The Veteran's conditions were found not to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The remaining issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are related to his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The issues of service connection will be decided based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, effective from March 1, 2007. The decision also noted that his service-connected dermatitis does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current manifestations of the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee condition, numbness of the right lower extremity, and bilateral tinea pedis were not incurred in service. The Veteran's hallux valgus was not diagnosed during the appeal period.