Citation Nr: 21070828
Decision Date: 11/26/21	Archive Date: 11/26/21

DOCKET NO. 19-16 323
DATE: November 26, 2021

ORDER

Service connection for a skin disability, variously diagnosed as dermatitis, eczema, and lichen planus, is granted.

FINDING OF FACT

The Veteran's skin disability is related to service.

CONCLUSION OF LAW

The criteria to establish service connection for a skin condition, variously diagnosed as dermatitis, eczema, and lichen planus, have been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1111, 1131, 5107(b); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303(a).

REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION

The veteran had active service from May 1985 to May 1989.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) from a December 2017 rating decision by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).  

A Board hearing was held in August 2021.  A transcript is of record.

To establish a right to compensation for a present disability, a Veteran must show: "(1) the existence of a present disability; (2) in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and (3) a causal relationship between the present disability and the disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service"-the so-called "nexus" requirement.  Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163, 1167 (Fed. Cir. 2004).

Service connection may be granted for any disease diagnosed after discharge, when all of the evidence, including that pertinent to service, establishes that the disease was incurred in service.  38 C.F.R. § 3.303(d).  However, "[a] determination of service connection requires a finding of the existence of a current disability and a determination of a relationship between that disability and an injury or disease incurred in service."  Watson v. Brown, 4 Vet. App. 309, 314 (1993).

The Veteran asserts that he has a skin disability related to service.  

Service treatment records reflect that the Veteran was treated on various occasions for complaints related to his skin.  Lichen planus was assessed in October 1987.  The Veteran declined a separation examination.  

In December 2017, a VA examiner indicated diagnoses of dermatitis or eczema and history of lichen planus.  

During his August 2021 hearing, the Veteran testified that his skin problems began during service and continued since following service.  He noted that he had been treated over the years by a private dermatologist.  

Having carefully reviewed the record, the Board has determined that service connection for the Veteran's skin disability is warranted.  In reaching this conclusion, the Board notes that the record reflects diagnoses and treatment during service.  The Veteran has competently and consistently reported that symptoms he experienced during service have continued since his separation and up to the present.  Considering the record as a whole, the Board concludes that the evidence supports a conclusion that the Veteran's current skin disability, variously diagnosed as dermatitis, eczema, and lichen planus, is related to service.  Accordingly, the Board finds that service connection is warranted.   

 

 

DONNIE R. HACHEY

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	J. Barone, Counsel

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.