Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae (claimed as acne vulgaris), dermatitis, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stasis dermatitis with ulceration of the left leg and right leg, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of increased ratings for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L3-4 and PTSD. The remaining issue of an increased rating for left knee arthritis with a history of patellofemoral pain syndrome is dismissed.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder that is related to service or a service-connected disability. His pseudofolliculitis barbae has been rated as noncompensable under the criteria for dermatophytosis.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, which was evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7813, does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent since January 3, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a right foot injury with minimal degenerative changes of the first metatarsal prior to September 2, 2010 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected contact dermatitis, effective June 2, 2010. The Veteran previously had a 10 percent rating prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin disability, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's acne vulgaris existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. There is no evidence of chloracne or psoriasis in service or related to herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the skin conditions other than chloracne, diagnosed as keratosis pilaris and folliculitis to include a right thigh cyst or lesion, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and chronic dermatitis.

The Veteran is granted service connection for acne vulgaris and chloracne, which are presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection is also granted for a cervical spine disorder, with the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the claims to the RO for further development of evidence and due process development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), a skin disorder, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew the claim of service connection for a skin rash other than service-connected chloracne. The case is REMANDED to determine if hepatitis C is related to sexual contact during and after service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA skin examination to assess the severity and extent of his service-connected bilateral tinea pedis and gryphosis/onychomycosis status post excision of right great toenail and left 4th/5th toenail.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected tinea versicolor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including providing VCAA notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's left foot disability, right foot disability, tinnitus, and skin disorders are all found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for right eye disorder, bladder disorder, ovarian cysts/tumors, and left oophorectomy were denied. The claim for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis was granted with a non-compensable rating since December 13, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for cystic acne of the face, cheeks, chin, shoulders, mid back and chest is being remanded due to a lack of proper notice regarding scheduled VA examinations.