Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left knee, right knee, bilateral tinea pedis, and bilateral foot disorders due to incomplete medical records and insufficient etiology opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reviewed with additional evidence and expert opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The decision is based on direct service connection rather than a presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's biological son does not have spina bifida, and the mother is not a Vietnam Veteran. Therefore, the child is ineligible for benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 18.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis and denied service connection for rosacea. Dermatitis was incurred during active service, while there is no indication that rosacea manifested during service or is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, are sufficient to produce unemployability without regard to advancing age. TDIU is granted for the period from January 9, 2013 to May 15, 2020.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a skin rash was granted, and the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for chloracne.,A VA examination revealed that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chloracne may be associated with his time in service.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from December 21, 2014, to November 1, 2016. The TDIU is granted as his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,Atopic dermatitis was previously evaluated as noncompensable prior to December 12, 2018. Since then, it has been evaluated based on new evidence showing coverage of more than 5% but less than 20% of the total body area and no exposed areas.,The Veteran's atopic dermatitis is currently rated as noncompensable since December 12, 2018. The Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on new evidence showing coverage of more than 5% but less than 20% of the total body area and no exposed areas.,The Veteran's left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome are not service-connected. The Board has remanded to determine if these conditions can be linked to his military service.,The Veteran's GERD and dyspepsia have not been service-connected. The Board has remanded to determine if there is evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder resulted in alcohol abuse, which caused his liver cancer and contributed to his death. As a result, the claim for cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that additional remand is necessary due to the lack of independence and qualifications of the examiner, as well as issues regarding causation and foreseeability. The Veteran's claim for compensation under Section 1151 will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's effective date for additional compensation for dependents is denied as the required information was not provided within one year of notification.

The Veteran's skin condition (chloracne) is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.,The Veteran's heart disorder, including atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy, and aortic regurgitation, are also granted as service-connected based on the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for recurrent low grade fever, including its relationship with psoriasiform dermatitis. A new VA examination is required.

The claim for a compensable rating for acne prior to November 5, 2014, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is remanded due to incomplete medical reports and failure to address the historical severity levels of the Veteran's skin disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and skin condition (claimed as chloracne) are denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.