Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, non-service connected pension benefits, and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of the aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound. The veteran does not have a single permanent disability rated as 100 percent disabling, nor do his disabilities render him incapable of following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for chloracne or headaches, as claimed by the veteran. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis with psoriatic lesions, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his condition.

The Board granted an effective date of April 22, 1998 for the assignment of a 50 percent rating for PFB with acne vulgaris and seborrheic dermatitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the disability warranted only a 0 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination of his service-connected back strain, left knee arthralgia, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected MRSA infection of the right wrist with dermatitis and scarring is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his employment status and medical records.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bronchial asthma was denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for tinea cruris was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for tinea cruris.

The veteran's service-connected PFB is found to have begun in service and continues to the present. His bilateral hearing loss, however, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea corporis and psoriasis do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's acne vulgaris did not warrant a higher rating as it affected less than 40 percent of his body and had not required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs for more than six weeks in the past year.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for brain disability and dermatitis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since May 16, 2003. He is also granted a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including eczema, as it was not etiologically related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD) and psoriasis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tinea versicolor or seborrheic dermatitis, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to procedural requirements and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for dermatitis of the dorsal surface of the hands, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence linking any past or present condition to service.

The veteran's service-connected atopic dermatitis was rated 50 percent prior to August 30, 2002 and 60 percent from that date. The case is now before the Board for review.