Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected dermatitis of the hands is being remanded due to his request for a hearing by live videoconference.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased disability ratings and service connection claims. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records, scheduling VA examinations, and ensuring the examination reports comply with the directives of this remand.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 15, 2004 for service connection for diabetes was denied. The Board found that the earliest allowable effective date under applicable criteria is November 15, 2004.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psoriasis has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, and thus grants his claim for this condition as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psoriasis is at least as likely as not related to his in-service skin problems, and thus service connection for psoriasis is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection, except for reopening of his PTSD claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and eczema are as a result of her period of active duty service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection and a compensable rating are not addressed as the appeal is in process.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected tinea corporis and epidermophytosis of the feet. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, private medical records from Alliant Techsystems and the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, and an examination to determine the current level of severity of the Veteran's skin disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his acne vulgaris.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dyshidrotic eczema had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to skin problems presented during his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's atopic eczema is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

Your claims for service connection have been remanded to the RO. You will need to provide additional evidence and complete any necessary steps to perfect your appeal of the downstream claim for a higher initial rating for your low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected tinea dermatitis, including its impact on his lower extremities and hands. Additional medical records should also be obtained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to chloracne or acneform disease, hepatitis C and the application to reopen the claim of service connection for passive-aggressive personality disorder. The appeal regarding a rating higher than 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder was also dismissed as he limited his appeal to a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience, effective December 6, 2011.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including chloracne and a skin rash, are presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure. However, the bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not presumptively service-connected due to Agent Orange exposure.,The Veteran's current skin conditions do not appear to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatitis of the face and scalp is not service-connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.