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

The Board has granted service connection for chronic strain of the right hip, but denied entitlement to increased evaluation for facial acne scars and service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated 50 percent disabling, while his claims for shell fragment wounds (SFW) to the lower extremities, bilateral pes planus, and onychomycosis are granted. The service connection for these conditions is presumed due to combat experience.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae from February 24, 2004 was granted. Service connection for the condition was also established effective that date.

The veteran's service-connected folliculitis, posterior scalp and neck, is currently rated as 50 percent disabling due to its exceptionally repugnant nature. The condition involves a six by three inch area on the back of his neck with scarring, loss of hair, and active lesions like ulcers and pustules.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, hypertension, skin rash, stomach ulcers, and colon problems due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and acne keloidalis nuchae with scarring alopecia were denied. The RO found that the conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying stressors. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, a vision problem with implanted contact lens, and left arm condition. The veteran was not diagnosed with these conditions during service or within one year after separation from service.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by military service, but there is no evidence of tinea pedis and tinea cruris in service or otherwise related to service. The veteran's claim for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a noncompensable evaluation for the left foot burn scar. The veteran's eczema claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's HIV, eczematous patch on the right thigh, and hypertension do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran's acne vulgaris is currently rated at 10 percent since August 30, 2002. The RO has granted a higher evaluation of 30 percent for the period prior to August 30, 2002.

The veteran's sarcoidosis was rated at 60 percent from June 21, 2002 to September 9, 2002. From that date forward, the veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for his sarcoidosis. The veteran's GERD has been rated as noncompensably disabling since the effective date of service connection. Pseudofolliculitis barbae and dermatofibroma of the legs have not met criteria for compensable ratings.

The veteran's skin disability, which included lichen planus and eczematous dermatitis, was granted a 50 percent rating prior to August 30, 2002. The case is referred for extraschedular consideration and TDIU benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and a compensable rating for eczematoid dermatitis of the lower extremities, finding that the earliest applicable date was October 18, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for consideration of both the old and new criteria, and a VA examination to determine the current level of his service-connected skin disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the appellant's service-connected skin condition and left knee disability require an annual clothing allowance due to damage caused by prescribed medications or prosthetic devices.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete procedural steps and the need for additional VCAA notifications.

The Board found no evidence of a current skin disability related to service or herbicide exposure, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition other than chloracne and an increased rating for his service-connected chloracne.