Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current ear conditions, including dermatitis and otitis externa, are related to his in-service diagnosis of dermatitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for skin moles, eye disorder, prostate disorder, bilateral flat feet, acne disorder, hepatitis A, low back disorder, vocal cord nodes, and bilateral knee disorder were all denied. The RO determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for hepatitis A, low back disorder, vocal cord nodes, and bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's acne rosacea is found to be related to his active military service. The Veteran's polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be related to presumed in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected acne vulgaris, manifested by constant or near-constant systemic treatment with erythromycin, does not warrant a compensable rating as it affects less than 5% of her total body area and exposed areas.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, effective November 9, 2010. The Board has found that the evidence supports a higher rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being held in abeyance pending the adjudication of his service connection claims. The Under Secretary or designee must certify whether the qualifying prosthetic appliance used by the Veteran tends to wear or tear their clothing, or if any medication prescribed for a skin condition causes irreparable damage to their outer garments.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability warrants an increased combined rating of 80 percent for the period prior to October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, and his claims for service connection were based on new evidence received after the one-year period of limitation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea versicolor, obstructive sleep apnea, and a kidney disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of status post abdomen wound, PFB, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for nummular eczema, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether it had its onset during active service and has continued since service. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's eczema rating from 30 percent to noncompensable was proper based on the evidence at the time of the reduction.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied as her orthotic inserts and topical acne medications do not cause wear or tear on her clothing.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable without regard to age or non-service-connected disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, granting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for multiple myeloma, chloracne/skin disability, arthritis, sinusitis, asthma, and hypertension have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability related to service or the exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hip condition, and chloracne, and provide a VA examination for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema of the feet prior to January 17, 2013, and a rating of 10 percent thereafter was granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, was also addressed.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the July 2010 VA examination, which did not address whether the Veteran's skin disabilities are related to service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or Agent Orange exposure. The case is now returned for further development.