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

The VA has determined that the veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne, gastrointestinal disorders, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to cold injury in service and denied all claims.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected acne vulgaris does not warrant a compensable disability rating as there is no evidence of active lesions or significant scarring.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his spine and skin conditions, including seeking service connection for periodontal disease and increased disability ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation until October 9, 2002, when his combined rating became 80 percent disabling. The Board denied the request for an effective date prior to this date.

The Board has granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for scars on the dorsum of the feet secondary to in-service blisters. The veteran's other claims have been denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinea cruris (a rash on the testicles, penis, and groin) is being remanded due to inadequate notice.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and seborrheic dermatitis are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new criteria for rating skin disorders effective August 30, 2002.

The VA dermatologist found no direct relationship between the current skin condition and active service, but did not address whether any current skin disorder is related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected right elbow tendonitis and bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis of the toenails bilaterally have not been found to warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's claim of service connection for insomnia, as a manifestation of his service-connected adjustment disorder, has been dismissed due to the overlap between the two conditions and the established compensation.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychogenic non-epileptic seizure disorder and remanded the remaining issues for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae did not warrant a higher rating as it manifested in no more than 20 to 40 percent of exposed area affected.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a lumbosacral strain, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and right hip tendonitis, do not render him unemployable considering his educational and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by memory loss or psoriasis of the hands and feet due to disease or injury incurred in service, nor can it be presumed. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claims for dental trauma, rosacea, adult acne, chloracne, and pleomorphic adenoma as a result of herbicide exposure were all granted. Service connection was established for residuals of dental trauma to tooth number 8 due to in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and polyarthritis have been granted. The conditions were found to be related to service without any specific exposure basis or presumption.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have psoriasis associated with his active military duty and therefore denied service connection for psoriasis.