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

The Board has determined that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, a chronic condition, began in service and is related to his shaving rash during active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected dyshidrotic eczema of the hands is currently rated at 30 percent, which was increased in December 2006. The current rating reflects the severity of his condition as per the old VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The veteran's tinea versicolor was found to be noncompensable prior to August 30, 2002 and a 10 percent rating is granted for the period beginning August 30, 2002. The Board denied both the claim for a compensable rating prior to that date and a higher rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's skin condition during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) in 1982 and 1983. The claim will be processed again with additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for further development and examination due to incomplete service records, unverified in-service stressors for PTSD, and additional medical evaluations are needed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to incomplete information in the current evaluation.

The veteran is granted VA compensation for a localized skin rash or eczema due to his laparotomy scar, but his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is denied as he failed to appear for scheduled examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dermatitis and lipomas are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. As a result, both claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for eczema, asthma, and schizophrenia. The RO's July 2002 denial of service connection for eczema is final. As new and material evidence was not received, the claim for service connection for eczema cannot be reopened. Similarly, the November 2002 denial of service connection for asthma is final. As new and material evidence was not received, the claim for service connection for asthma also cannot be reopened. The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for schizophrenia has been remanded due to insufficient information provided in the prior decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his claims for service connection for gastritis, a left eye injury, and a cervical strain. The veteran's conditions were evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, chronic bronchitis, and residuals of mononucleosis were not established. The veteran was granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and left knee trauma with instability, both rated at 20%. He was also granted a compensable rating for eczema from August 30, 2002, and an increased rating to 30% effective July 20, 2006.

The veteran's claim for service connection for jungle rot, to include tinea pedis, has been reopened and granted.,The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has also been reopened and granted.

The veteran's skin disability, affecting non-exposed areas of his body such as the chest, groin, and feet, is currently rated at 10 percent for dermatophytosis, jungle rot, tinea pedis, and tinea corporis since August 30, 2002. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings under either old or new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and tinea pedis have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and/or left ankle. The VA medical examinations did not find any chronic conditions resulting from service-connected bunion of the right foot. There is no evidence of a current diagnosis for tinea pedis or residuals thereof.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, low back disability, seborrheic dermatitis of the chest, and hypertension as these conditions were not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis and psoriatric arthritis, as well as the increased evaluation and compensable rating for left elbow disorders. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence linking his current conditions to military service or any event therein.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the veteran's medical records and conflicting accounts of treatment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fungal infections, including tinea corporis and tinea cruris, claimed as jungle rot, are not related to his active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 11, 1999, for a 10 percent evaluation for tinea versicolor due to lack of evidence supporting such a request.