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

The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The low back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, effective December 14, 2005, and there is no evidence of more than slight impairment prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, increased ratings for eczema and abdominal scar, and a higher rating for residuals of bladder repair with urinary incontinence and frequency are not supported by the evidence. The veteran does not have current diagnoses or symptoms related to these conditions as claimed.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected acne vulgaris, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's skin disorder (other than service connected tinea pedis and genital herpes simplex) was not incurred or aggravated by service, nor is it presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic eczematoid otitis externa, bilateral (also claimed as auditory ear canal disease) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulnar neuritis of the left elbow, emphysema, folliculitis, residuals of removal of the gallbladder, and presbyopia, myopia, or a visual disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including proper VCAA notice and a new VA examination to determine the nature and extent of the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for tinea pedis and tinea cruris was granted, with a 10 percent rating effective June 14, 2004. The other issues were not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence showing the veteran currently has a disability due to a right shoulder condition. The RO denied service connection for lumbar strain, prostate urethritis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae because the conditions were neither incurred in nor caused by service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; he does not have an employment handicap.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development at the RO level. The issues include seeking service connection and higher ratings for various knee and back conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected neurodermatitis does not warrant a higher initial evaluation as it affects less than 40 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, with no systemic therapy required.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected keloids of the anterior neck area, residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA dermamologic examination.

The veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his skin disorder and service connection for PTSD. The skin disorder was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria, while the PTSD claim was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for tinea versicolor and TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule for skin disorders. The veteran was also found to not meet the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for dyshidrotic eczema was granted effective August 30, 2002. The effective date of the increase in rating is based on the change in the rating criteria for skin disorders which took effect on that date.,Effective April 13, 1995, and September 14, 2001, the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and left knee were granted. The effective dates are based on informal claims received by VA prior to those dates.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and a sleep disorder, as well as an increased rating for chloracne with folliculitis. The veteran's claim for PTSD was not addressed due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the claims.

The veteran's skin disorder, claimed as seborrheic dermatitis and tinea pedis, has been attributed to a known clinical diagnosis (seborrheic dermatitis) that did not manifest during military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in the Republic of Vietnam, was denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of chloracne and thus cannot grant service connection.