Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for tinea versicolor, currently evaluated at 30 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne, a skin disorder, based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. Service connection was denied for the gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as colon polyps).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a skin condition (folliculitis), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of current disabilities related to the conditions in question.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and psoriasis are both granted. Service connection is established for PTSD due to in-service combat stressors, and for psoriasis which began during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was caused by his military service and granted service connection for a low back disability. The initial rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia, rated at 100% since November 1, 2011, is granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU rating effective from the same date.

The Veteran's skin condition of the feet, including onychomycosis, is rated at 10 percent since March 22, 2012. Prior to that date, a compensable rating was not warranted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right shoulder tendonitis and bursitis prior to March 9, 2009 was granted. The Veteran's subsequent claims for increased ratings were denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for recurrent furunculosis, finding that the condition began during service and is related to it.

The Veteran's eczema, affecting less than five percent of his total body area and exposed areas with intermittent topical therapy, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the record is incomplete regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and requires additional development to determine causality.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of private medical records from Chile.

The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis was found to have originated during service. However, the claim for degenerative joint disease of the spine could not be established as it did not manifest within one year after separation from service and there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disorder, specifically chloracne. The evidence received since the March 1994 rating decision is new and material, suggesting a possible nexus between the current diagnosis of chloracne and herbicide exposure in service. Service connection for chloracne is granted as it meets the criteria based on presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected onychomycosis and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation consistent with a history of tinea cruris of the feet and groin have been manifested by less than 5 percent of the entire body affected, or exposed areas affected, and no more than topical therapy required. As such, the criteria for a compensable initial rating are not met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for decreased night vision and right eyelid laceration. The claim for service connection for decreased night vision is reopened, but the claim for service connection for residuals of a right eye laceration remains denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder, characterized by pityrosporum and staphylococcal folliculitis, has been rated at 10 percent since September 30, 2009. The current rating is appropriate given the intermittent use of systemic therapy for less than six weeks.

The Board has denied the service connection claims for hypertension, a disability manifested by a 'fast heart', an acquired psychiatric disorder, hyperthyroidism, chronic pain, and insomnia, all claimed as secondary to hepatitis B.

The Veteran's eczema, a skin disease, is found to be related to service and granted service connection. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for sleep apnea (a sleep disability) is granted.

The Board found that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of a mental or physical condition prior to attaining the age of 18, and thus denied DIC benefits as an adult helpless child.