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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling C&P examinations to address the veteran's hip, leg, eye, ear, and skin conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no current evidence of these disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorder, including tinea versicolor, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The clinical evidence did not reflect a skin condition during service and the July 1946 discharge examination report revealed no abnormality of the skin. The most probative evidence indicated that the current skin disorder is not etiologically linked to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for evaluations of his miliaria rubra and allergic contact dermatitis, finding that they have been essentially asymptomatic. The issue of service connection for coronary arteriosclerotic heart disease was withdrawn by the veteran prior to a decision.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied.,A noncompensable rating was assigned for multiple lipomas. The current evaluation is 10%.,Prior to September 20, 2006, the veteran had a noncompensable rating for tinea versicolor. After that date, he received a 30% rating.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for major depression and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent under either the old or revised schedular criteria, as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant such a rating. The veteran also does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's tinea pedis of both feet has been rated as noncompensable, with the condition under good control and virtually asymptomatic.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the percentage of body and exposed areas affected by the condition.

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding no current disability due to the condition during military service.

The veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is rated at 20 percent prior to March 30, 2005, and at 30 percent from March 30, 2005, forward. The veteran's folliculitis is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for a left ankle disability and asthma are denied.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for acne vulgaris was denied prior to September 29, 2005. From that date, the VA determined that a higher evaluation of 30 percent is not warranted.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the severity of the veteran's tinea pedis with severe onychomycosis, including whether systemic medication was prescribed and its effectiveness. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The veteran's cystic acne is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7828 for deep acne affecting more than 40% of the face and neck. The veteran does not have other conditions or exposure basis that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to unclear evidence of his employability status and the need for a VA examination to assess his current employment capacity.

The veteran's tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae were granted a 30% rating effective November 21, 2005. The left carpal tunnel syndrome claim is considered 'unknown' as it was not addressed in the decision.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of July 10, 2002, one year before he filed his claim for TDIU. As a result, the effective date for TDIU is assigned to July 10, 2002.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for atopic dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae has not resulted in severely or markedly disfiguring scars, tissue loss, cicatrization, marked discoloration, constant exudation or itching, extensive lesions, or marked and unsightly deformity of eyelids, lips, or auricles. Therefore, the claim for an increased disability rating is denied.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for tinea pedis, finding that the condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on its minimal impact and treatment with topical agents.