Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, to include as secondary to nodulocystic acne, and for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for nodulocystic acne have been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fungal dermatitis, left hip disability, and left knee disability are related to her active service. The sinus condition and chronic allergies, as well as the gynecological disorder (cysts and associated scarring), have not been established as being related to her service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and his chronic skin disorder (pruritus/acne and tinea pedis) and gastrointestinal disorder are not related to active service or an undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War service.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis, arthritis, urinary incontinence, insomnia (secondary to service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae), and headaches. The Veteran's period of honorable service from February 1975 to February 13, 1977 is considered, but the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, tinea cruris, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service symptoms and diagnosis of tinea cruris.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for acne was granted, but the Board found that her acne does not consist of deep inflamed nodules or pus-filled cysts. As a result, she is not entitled to a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's award of TDIU was terminated due to improvement in his service-connected skin disability. The Board has determined that the termination is inconsistent with the medical findings and regulations, and has restored the TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected skin disorders and to determine if any new or increased conditions are related to his service-connected contact dermatitis and tinea versicolor. The RO/AMC will also obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and finds service connection for left ear hearing loss is warranted. The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis of the feet is currently manifested by itching, bleeding, and flaking skin but does not cover 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposure areas.

The Veteran's request for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability is granted.,A separate evaluation for the scar associated with his right knee disability is denied.,An evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from October 13, 2007 is granted.,An evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from June 12, 2008 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's bleeding ulcer is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for sleep apnea with CPAP is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for psoriasis is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's heart disorder, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's current psoriasis was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, and the Board found no credible or competent evidence connecting it to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, keratosis, and eczema, finding that there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or chronic manifestations of these conditions. The Board also found that the diseases are not among those presumed to be associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for HPV and a skin disability (other than skin discoloration) due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 10 percent, effective October 19, 2007. The disability covers less than 20% of the entire body and affects less than 20% of exposed areas, without requiring systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an increased rating for postoperative cervical spine DJD and service connection for seborrheic dermatitis before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis of the feet and plantar fasciitis, right foot are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral DDD and DJD is granted, with a current disability rating of 20 percent. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of psoriasis and dismissed his appeal regarding a compensable disability rating for folliculitis of the buttocks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, reopening of a previously denied skin disorder claim, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and increased rating for left knee disability were all granted.