Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness of the hands, psoriasis, a lower extremity disability, an undiagnosed respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine his eligibility for assistance in the purchase of automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatological disorder, manifested by a rash or dermatitis of the hands, is a chronic disability pattern which is diagnosable but medically unexplained and without conclusive pathophysiology or etiology. The condition first manifested during his service in the Persian Gulf War and continues to this day.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, eczema at 10 percent prior to November 17, 2011 and onychomycosis and pseudofolliculitis barbae are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated as 20 percent disabling for limitation of extension, but not higher. The Veteran is also in receipt of a separate noncompensable rating for limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating for left knee laxity/instability. A higher initial rating is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA dermatologist's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current skin conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected skin disability.

The Veteran's skin disability, including candidiasis of the feet with tinea pedis and hyperhidrosis, has not been found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, spine conditions, and hand/tendon disorders. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an opinion on the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased eczematoid dermatitis and service connection for an eye condition, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, were denied. The claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease was not addressed due to the recharacterization of the issue.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the September 2007 rating decision was granted, with service connection for sinusitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and pseudofolliculitis assigned. However, his right ankle disability remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin disorder(s), to include chloracne and residual scarring, due to Agent Orange exposure is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected acne vulgaris due to the lack of recent VA examination and potential fluctuation in symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The tinnitus claim was not reopened as there is no new evidence relating to a previously unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The hearing loss claim was also not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The skin condition and back disability claims were reopened, but service connection was not granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB). The Board has determined that the current examination report should be returned for an addendum opinion to determine if it is clear and unmistakable that PFB was not aggravated by military service beyond its natural progression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found no service connection due to lack of in-service disease or injury, failure to show continuity of symptoms after service, and inability to establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's chloracne was not service-connected, but his arthritis/stiffness and hypertension were found to be related to his service. The stroke residuals claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination in its July 2012 denial of service connection for a skin disability. The Veteran's claim must be remanded for a new VA examination and opinion regarding whether any diagnosed skin disability is related to his military service, including consideration of his contentions that wearing heavy uniforms during hot weather permanently aggravated his skin disability.