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

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a hearing and further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with depression and an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to a lack of verified stressors, while the claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as there is no evidence showing that it has worsened since August 29, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for defective hearing, a back disorder, a dermatological disorder involving the feet and body (claimed as chloracne), visual impairment, bilateral hip and knee disorders, a bilateral shoulder disorder, a neck disorder, a hand and fingers disorder, and a bilateral leg disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronicity for these conditions post-service and concluded that service connection is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for peptic ulcer disease and service connection for tinea pedis and a headache disorder, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis and vitiligo due to herbicide exposure, finding that new and material evidence was not provided.

The veteran's psoriasis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new Diagnostic Codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea pedis, right foot does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for alopecia of the scalp with eczema of the feet, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased evaluations due to a lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete VCAA notice.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirement for a TDIU rating and are found to prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB or PB), the highest available under VA regulations, based on one characteristic of disfigurement. The veteran's condition is not rated higher due to lack of evidence of extensive lesions, exudation, constant itching, or marked disfigurement.

The veteran's dermatophytosis, including tinea pedis and tinea unguium of the toenails, has been rated at 10 percent since October 21, 1999. The Board found that the condition does not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety reaction with depressive features associated with neurodermatitis is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and VA examinations.

For the period from January 30, 2003 to June 3, 2003, the medical evidence does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under DC 7806.

The VA determined that the veteran's skin condition, tinea corporis, does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, asbestos exposure, herbicide exposure (soft tissue sarcoma), tobacco-related disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her skin disability. The initial compensable evaluation claim will be adjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities related to his claimed conditions. The claims for residuals of right ankle injury, residuals of right elbow injury, skin disorder of the hands, and cognitive impairment are all denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because a timely substantive appeal was not filed within the required time frame.

The veteran's service-connected atopic dermatitis is rated at 50 percent prior to August 30, 2002. After that date, the rating is increased to 60 percent.