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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his back and neurological conditions are the primary factors preventing employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable disability rating for her service-connected eczema, left knee disability, or migraine headaches. She was also denied service connection for bilateral athlete's foot, low back pain, and abdominal pain.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the appellant's current conditions to his military service or any incident therein, including exposure to chemical dioxins. Therefore, service connection for all claimed conditions was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for seborrhea dermatitis and an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for GERD and hiatal hernia, effective October 1, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional STRs and VA records, as well as SSA disability determination records.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's chloracne is related to his service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic neck, back, and left foot disorders have been granted. His claim for increased disability evaluation for his left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome has also been granted with a current rating of 20%. The Veteran's claim for compensable disability evaluation for bilateral gynecomastia is pending.

The Board has determined that further action is required to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records from his first period of active duty. Additionally, VA examinations are needed for fatigue, vertigo, bilateral foot/ankle condition, bilateral hand/wrist/forearm condition, and seborrheic dermatitis due to their complexity and the need for medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's skin disability, manifested by repeated recurrences of lesions on various body parts and requiring multiple courses of antibiotics, warrants a rating of 60 percent under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disease, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, hives, irritation, rash, and fungal infection of nails, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's neurodermatitis was found to be less than 5% of the total body or exposed area affected, and no systemic therapy was required. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected scars have been rated as noncompensable. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the scars on the right leg, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for acne. The VA has scheduled a dermatology examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed skin condition, including whether it preexisted or was incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder, other than tinea cruris, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. For pension purposes, the Veteran was deemed unemployable due to multiple nonservice-connected disabilities but continued employment as a letter carrier.