Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and acneform rash did not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent from April 6, 1996 to January 21, 2001. For the period beginning January 22, 2001, the Board found that the veteran's condition warranted a rating of 30 percent.

The veteran's initial ratings for nummular eczema, migraine headaches, and interstitial cystitis have been granted. The RO has not assigned a specific rating for the service-connected endometriosis.

The VA has determined that the veteran's eczema did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 14, 2002.

The veteran's service-connected psoriasis was granted a 30 percent evaluation effective August 30, 2002. The initial evaluation for tinnitus remains in contention.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed stasis dermatitis of the right leg is not etiologically linked to his service or any incident therein, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for skin disease, claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic skin disorder present in service or related to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection, effective dates earlier than specified dates, and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have acne of the buttocks for which a compensable rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions. The claims will be reconsidered in light of any new evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and SSA disability benefits information.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and denied service connection for PFB. The claim for an initial rating higher than zero percent for residuals of a right little finger injury was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and treatment records. The issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for tinea pedis will be reconsidered based on the revised skin disease regulations.

The Board denied service connection for cold injury residuals of the feet and declined to reopen claims for pes planus and tinea cruris of the groin due to lack of competent evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, as well as his application to collaterally attack the final December 1998 rating decision that continued a 10 percent evaluation for seborrheic dermatitis. The issues of entitlement to increased compensation for maxillary sinusitis and anxiety disorder are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the claim for an assignment of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for psoriasis, finding that the veteran's service-connected condition did not present exceptional circumstances warranting extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinea versicolor, finding that his conditions did not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral sties, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as chronic adjustment disorder), and a skin condition due to palmar/plantar pustular psoriasis and onychomycosis. The veteran's service records do not show any indication of sties during military service.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on its effects on facial features or disfigurement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, thyroid disease, cataracts, skin cancer, arthritis, and dermatitis. The effective dates for these decisions were not established as they are typically based on when entitlement arose or when a claim was received.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial rating higher than zero percent for tinea cruris with lichen simplex chronicus of the scrotum were both denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and that the skin condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.