Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins with chronic phlebitis and stasis dermatitis of his bilateral lower extremities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, as they were not a principal cause. The Board also noted that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his fatal diseases.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis, finding that the Veteran's statements and medical opinions support a causal relationship between his Gulf War service and his diagnosed psoriasis. The appeal for memory loss was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor covered 20 to 40 percent of his entire body prior to December 12, 2016, and did not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, a 30 percent rating was granted.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor affected more than 5 percent but no more than 20 percent of his entire body, warranting a 10% evaluation throughout the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is not related to his in-service exposure to herbicides and denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence of a relationship between actinic keratosis or tinea versicolor and in-service exposure to herbicides, thus denying service connection for these conditions as well.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation for psoriasis and whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran's eczema disability was found to have manifested during service and continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chloracne is related to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin conditions and service.

The Veteran's skin condition and undiagnosed illness symptoms are granted service connection. The skin condition is dermatitis, while the gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms are considered an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's skin disability, which includes tinea pedis, tinea corporis, and onychomycosis, has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating. The Board found that the current level of impairment does not warrant an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis has affected less than five percent of her entire body and greater than five percent, but less than twenty percent, of exposed areas. The Board finds that the use of topical corticosteroids did not constitute systemic therapy as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's tinea pedis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it does not involve affected areas of at least 5 percent the entire body or exposed areas, required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, deep scarring of at least 39 square centimeters, superficial scarring of at least 929 square centimeters, pain, or loss of skin covering.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as it involves less than 5 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, with no systemic therapy required.

The Board has denied service connection for tendonitis of the right hand, tendonitis of the left hand, and bilateral tinea pedis (Athlete's foot).

The Veteran's malaria claim is denied. The Board finds reasonable doubt in the bilateral tinea pedis (jungle rot) claim and grants service connection. Service connection for residuals of basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is granted. Service connection for actinic keratosis and sebaceous cysts, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is denied. The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, status post arthroscopic surgery, and lumbar spine condition are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's psoriasis of the penis has been rated as zero percent disabling prior to December 22, 2010 and 60 percent thereafter. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more current VA skin examination to assess the severity of his service-connected dermatitis of the face disability and for VCAA notice regarding this issue. The Veteran has also requested an earlier effective date for other issues, which are not yet ready for Board adjudication.

The Veteran's PFB has been rated at 10 percent since the rating period on appeal, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.