Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current skin disorders, including nummular eczema with xerotic eczemas. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne was denied as there is no competent evidence of the claimed condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and increased evaluation for tinea pedis are pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic bronchitis, asthma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, edema of the lower extremities, and other acquired psychiatric disabilities have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any service connection related to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin disability, claimed as pseudofolliculitis barbae. The RO denied the claim in September 2008 because no current skin disorder was shown on an April 2008 VA medical examination. However, the Veteran and his wife testified that he has continued post-service symptoms of a skin disorder since service separation. A dermatological examination is required to determine the existence and etiology of such a disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disability, including chloracne, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, psoriasis, gastrointestinal disorder, blepharospasm, and coronary artery disease are not related to his military service or any incident thereof. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA skin diseases examination to determine if any current skin disability is related to service or chloracne. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including bilateral foot disabilities, left and right hip/knee disabilities, rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, residuals of a nasal fracture (including deviated septum), sleep apnea, and chronic folliculitis. The Veteran's hearing loss is also service connected.

The Board has determined that proper VCAA notice was not provided to the appellant regarding her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is being remanded to provide this necessary notice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, shortness of breath, tinea pedis, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted an 80 percent disability rating for atopic dermatitis, eczematoid type, effective March 12, 2009, based on the Veteran's extensive facial rash and disfigurement.

The Veteran was granted service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, but denied service connection for a chronic disability manifested by anal fissures, polyps and/or rectal bleeding.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome and an increased rating for tinea pedis. The RO has granted service connection but denied a compensable rating for both conditions in August 2007. The Board is remanding the case to obtain updated VA examinations, as well as any outstanding treatment records from Fayetteville VAMC.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claim, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging a skin examination to assess the severity of his tinea pedis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar psoriasis is not related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for typhus, malaria, psoriasis, and left leg cellulitis were denied as there is no competent evidence of these conditions during his active duty or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability in any of these areas.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema is manifested by a rash that covers approximately 30 percent of his body, warranting an evaluation of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a Travel Board hearing at the local RO in Nashville, Tennessee.