Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's skin disorders, including tinea versicolor, dermatophytosis, dermatitis, stucco keratosis, and basal cell carcinoma left temple, are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service, particularly herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis and tension headaches have been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable rating are not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rashes claimed as chloracne.

The Veteran's hypertension with associated chest pain and eczema with hyperpigmentation of the forehead, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are not rated higher than 20 percent and 30 percent respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a secondary service connection opinion for sleep apnea and issuing a statement of the case regarding his claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and assigned a noncompensable rating for his service-connected tinea pedis. The other issues on appeal remain unresolved.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinea pedis are found to be related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's skin disability, specifically pseudofolliculitis barbae and eczema, is found to be related to service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The RO is directed to obtain his treatment records from Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including chloracne and eczema, are being remanded for a more thorough examination to determine if they are related to his service in Vietnam, specifically exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for chronic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis in the left foot, and plantar fasciitis in the right foot have been dismissed as he withdrew these claims during his hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of psoriasis in the record. The claims for increased ratings for varicose veins and status post septoplasty are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected atopic dermatitis and hernia residuals. The issues of rating adjustment for atopic dermatitis and TDIU are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae prior to December 23, 2009 and from that date was denied. The effective date of the current 50% rating remains in dispute.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of her back disorder, bilateral knee/leg disability, and foot disorders. The AOJ will then readjudicate the claim in light of all evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, finding no evidence of current disability and noting that the Veteran had not provided any relevant medical or lay evidence to support his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from before December 1999 and associating a February 2014 examination report with the claims file.

The Veteran's eczema does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as it does not involve at least 5 to 20 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, nor has it required intermittent systemic therapy. The current skin symptoms cover less than 1% of his total body area and none of his exposed areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service, but his current skin disabilities are not presumed to be related to such exposure. The VA examiner found no evidence linking his current conditions to active service or to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected skin conditions have been rated at 10 percent since September 26, 2008. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7806 are not met during any portion of the period on appeal.