Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for acne and found that it is related to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The effective date of this decision remains pending as further evidence is needed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for intermittent folliculitis of the scalp, finding that the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected eczema and furuncolosis of the buttocks and groin do not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating under either the old or revised VA regulations. The skin conditions have been shown to involve less than 5% of exposed areas, and no systemic therapy is required.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his tinea pedis, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for a skin rash and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a fractured right lateral malleus with traumatic arthritis due to lack of evidence linking the current conditions to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected dermatophytosis tinea pedis of the upper and lower extremities was granted, but with a noncompensable evaluation. The case is now remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing treatment records from Ft. Hood, Texas.

The VA has determined that the veteran's skin rash, diagnosed as tinea versicolor, does not warrant a compensable evaluation due to its minimal impact on exposed and non-exposed total body surfaces.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for psoriasis of the elbows and fingernails, ruling that it was granted but at a noncompensable rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right ankle condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, the left wrist condition as 10 percent disabling, and the bursitis of the elbow as 10 percent disabling. Tinea pedis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied as the condition is not a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board also notes that further examination may be needed to determine if hypertension and hiatal hernia are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint and vitiligo, as well as service connection for chloracne. The veteran's current conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The veteran's skin disorders, including non-melanoma skin cancer and cysts, were not linked to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. His bilateral foot disorder was attributed to neuropathy of an unknown cause, but the connection to Agent Orange exposure is unclear.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for skin disability manifested by acne and granted service connection based on new evidence provided since the previous denial.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has addressed the claims of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the spine, an initial compensable evaluation for herpes, a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae and residuals of hepatitis, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for postoperative residuals, right foot and right great toe with degenerative changes. The claims are REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, D.C.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acute septic arthritis of the right elbow, hypertension, and a skin disorder. The examiner found no current disability involving septic arthritis of the right elbow. For hypertension, the Board noted that VA has not considered whether it may be related to diabetes mellitus. For the skin condition, the Board did not consider DC 7800 or DC 7806.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed with respect to all issues except for his claim for TDIU.