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

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic dermatitis, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for subacute eczema is being remanded due to the need for compliance with duty-to-notify-and-assist requirements and consideration under both pre- and post-revision rating criteria.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral lower extremity venous stasis with stasis dermatitis, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that a remand of this matter is required due to the ambiguous nature of the evidence currently of record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches. However, the Board finds that the veteran does not have a current disability of migraine headaches or any other claimed conditions (hiatal hernia, dermatitis, major depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine) that are related to his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for tinea pedis with onychomycosis, and a VA examination is needed to determine if this condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for tinea pedis. The appeal was reopened on new evidence, but no rating was assigned as there is no current disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and denied his request for an increased rating for acne and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The current disability was determined not to be related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's postoperative recurrent sebaceous cysts, scalp and face are rated at 30 percent effective from October 2005. The veteran's folliculitis of the scalp is rated at 10 percent effective from August 30, 2002.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her hysterectomy, cervical spine, low back, and foot conditions, have a combined disability rating of 80 percent. These disabilities prevent the veteran from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and readjudicating his claim with consideration of revised rating criteria.

The veteran's chronic dermatitis of the hands and feet was incurred during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection was remanded, and the case must be returned to the RO for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral drusen disease and psoriasis, finding that his visual acuity did not meet criteria for a higher rating and noting that his psoriasis was limited to mild intermittent involvement of less than 5% of exposed areas.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current left shoulder, right knee, or left knee disabilities that began during service or as a consequence of service. The veteran's skin conditions are secondary to his service-connected perianal dermatitis.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected chronic low back pain, effective November 17, 2005. The claimant was previously rated at 10 percent prior to this date.

The veteran's claims for service connection for epididymo-orchitis, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis (claimed as swelling of the hands and feet) have been denied. The veteran does not suffer from these conditions that can be related to his period of service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain and skin rashes, both of which were related to his service in the Persian Gulf theatre of operations. The VA found insufficient evidence to establish a current disability or link between the conditions and service.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 26, 2003. His degenerative arthritis of the left knee and right knee are both rated at 10 percent. The veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. His surgical scar of the left 7th rib is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. His eczema is also rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a skin condition, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic, generalized folliculitis with residual scarring and tinea cruris is denied as the evidence does not support a rating greater than 60 percent.