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

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of an excision of a scaling calculus from the left Wharton's duct, a left knee disability, and tinea pedis of the left foot as there is no competent medical evidence showing current diagnoses or relationships to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical examinations and development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar strain and eczema of the hands with right hand verruca vulgaris due to new evidence and changes in rating criteria.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding the condition to be asymptomatic and non-disabling during the entire period in question.

The veteran's medical conditions do not meet the regulatory criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back disability or tinea pedis that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The VA has determined that the veteran's skin rashes, diagnosed as lichenoid dermatitis, did not manifest during his service and are not due to a disease or injury related to his military service. The Board therefore denies service connection for these conditions.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for atopic dermatitis, effective from August 30, 2002. The veteran's condition was found to meet the criteria for this rating based on his skin involvement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral knee disability, and reopening of his claim for atopic dermatitis as a result of Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disability, tinea versicolor. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection or that the current condition was related to service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected dyshidrotic eczema and jungle rot, as the evidence does not show more than 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas affected, nor does it indicate he requires constant systemic therapy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for asthma, and an initial compensable evaluation for tinea pedis. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of a right shoulder disability. For asthma, the criteria were not met for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent. For tinea pedis, the veteran was granted a 10 percent rating effective from August 30, 2002.

The appellant requested to withdraw the appeal for service connection of a skin disorder at a hearing, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, but remanded it for additional development. The case is now back with the RO for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, hallux valgus of the left and right feet, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae with acne vulgaris. The conditions were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for atopic dermatitis with chronic eczema was granted, effective from August 30, 2002. Service connection for gout remains pending.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision. The case is dismissed.

The VA determined that the veteran's tinea versicolor does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it affects less than 5% of his total body surface and is treated with topical medications.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for right ear hearing loss and tinea versicolor, finding that his conditions did not warrant a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that his service-connected disabilities had increased in severity within one year prior to filing the TDIU claim.