Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected psoriasis was rated at 30 percent prior to February 10, 2000 and increased to 50 percent from February 10, 2000 through April 8, 2008. The Veteran is now entitled to a 60 percent evaluation starting from April 9, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the scheduling of rescheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete rationale provided by VA examiners.

The Board has granted service connection for cystic acne and hidradenitis suppurativa, but denied the request for an earlier effective date for PTSD. The Veteran's skin disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected stasis dermatitis did not cause or contribute to his death, and there was no evidence linking any of his post-service conditions (including diabetes) to his active duty service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, varicose veins, hepatitis B, and left knee strain. The claim for increased rating for eczema was also denied.

The Veteran's skin disease, claimed as dermatitis eczema and keratosis, was first manifested during active duty. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 28, 2006 for the grant of service connection for seborrhea was denied. The Board found that there were no pending, unadjudicated requests to reopen his previously-denied claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disability, right ankle sprain with residual, tinea pedis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or establish a link to active service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, which were previously denied. The case is remanded to obtain private treatment records from the Cochran VAMC.

The Board found that the Veteran's current chloracne is presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated during active military service, due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). As a result, the claim for service connection was granted.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and possibly a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected contact dermatitis contributed to his death.