Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and tinea versicolor. For hypertension, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent was not warranted. For tinea versicolor, a compensable evaluation (10%) was granted for the period April 26, 1994, to August 29, 2002, but no increased rating was granted after that date.

The veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and rosacea, affects a total area of the body of 8 percent, with 2 percent in exposed areas. The VA examiner determined that no systemic therapy was required during the past 12-month period. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current skin disorders, including stasis dermatitis of the lower extremities, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, rosacea, and folliculitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's low back disability, bilateral leg disabilities, and arthritis of the feet are also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin disorder. By extending the benefit of the doubt to the veteran, his psoriasis/lichen simplex is due to disease that was incurred in service.

The Board granted a TDIU effective July 24, 1997. The veteran now seeks an earlier effective date.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 10 percent from October 16, 2001 to April 27, 2003 and 20 percent thereafter. The veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, service connection for arthritis of the hands, diabetes mellitus, and psoriasis. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for low back strain and dermatitis is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and photographs, as well as a readjudication based on the revised rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his psoriatic arthritis and generalized psoriasis.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for various conditions, including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis of multiple joints, and bilateral pes planus. The decision was final regarding a previous denial of service connection for a mood disorder.

The veteran's current bilateral foot condition was first manifested many years after active service and is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disorder and folliculitis due to outstanding medical records and the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration of his claims for higher ratings for partial small bowel obstruction and scalp folliculitis.

The veteran has current chloracne as a result of exposure to Agent Orange during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran did not have a current skin disability, and his hearing loss was rated as zero percent.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the appellant's service-connected left knee sprain, effective from the date of the decision. The total evaluation based on individual unemployability and separate evaluation for limitation of motion have also been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his psoriasis disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae as of August 30, 2002. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the maximum schedular evaluation, based on applicable rating criteria, is warranted for neurodermatitis.