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

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of tinea versicolor was denied as the condition affects less than 40 percent of his entire body and does not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy.,Service connection for residuals of generalized viral infection (claimed as residuals of spinal meningitis) was also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between this condition and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Lichen simplex chronicus of the scrotal area, residuals of right shoulder injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any inservice incidents.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected chronic atopic dermatitis, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7813 and 7806.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for tinea pedis and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), finding that his conditions did not meet or approximate the requirements for a compensable evaluation under the old rating criteria.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and her right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent. The veteran's psoriasis has been granted with a rating of 30 percent effective May 23, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to ongoing appeals in Ribaudo v. Nicholson and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for atopic dermatitis was dismissed as the June 1964 rating decision and subsequent Board decisions were not subject to allegations of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The veteran's service-connected circumscriptus neurodermatitis is currently evaluated at 30 percent, affecting 20 to 40 percent of his entire body and exposed areas. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected atopic dermatitis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and C, chronic dermatitis, actinic keratosis, and monoclonal gammopathy. The veteran was presumed to have been exposed to herbicides in Vietnam, but there is no current diagnosis of any disease or condition that would qualify for a presumption of service connection based on exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a compensable evaluation for tinea pedis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing proper notice.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder and denied service connection for bipartite patella of the right knee. The veteran's thoracolumbar spondylosis and dextroscoliosis, left knee stress injury, cervical disc bulging at C3-4 and 4-5 spaces, and shin splints are all rated as they currently manifest.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected parapsoriasis is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. A VA dermatologic examination is needed to determine the severity of his condition and whether systemic therapy is required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability and dermatitis were not incurred or aggravated in service, and no nexus between these conditions and his military service was established. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's skin condition is rated at 30 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent effective from May 2005. The appeal for service connection for a low back disability was remanded to the RO.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disability and depression, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's syncope is found to have its clinical onset during service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae remains denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne was denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Board found that the veteran's current skin condition, diagnosed as multiple sebaceous cysts with hydradenitis suppurativa, is not a separate and distinct condition from his previously granted service-connected condition.

The veteran's GERD and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted initial noncompensable disability ratings, while the cervical spine disability and degenerative changes of the right foot remain unresolved.