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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for toenail fungus, GERD, and tinea pedis/tinea cruris. The decision found that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma and atopic dermatitis, as well as his requests for increased ratings for right foot disabilities. The appeals were not granted.

The veteran's skin condition, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinea corporis, tinea pedis and acne, was granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent effective August 30, 2002.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a Board hearing.

The Board found that the February 1995 rating decision was not based on CUE and denied both issues of entitlement to a higher disability evaluation for acne keloidalis nuchae with folliculitis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating. The case is being remanded for further examination to determine if the veteran meets the schedular requirements or if an extra-schedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The veteran's claim of service connection for folliculitis of the scalp was reopened and granted, while his claim for bipolar disorder was also reopened but denied on the merits.,Both conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and acne do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seborrheic dermatitis with facial telangiectases and burn scar, left bicep are related to his active duty service.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for chloracne from May 24, 1999. The veteran's condition was characterized by extensive lesions and disfigurement of the face and trunk.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, including as due to exposure to an herbicide agent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly address the veteran's claims, including obtaining verification of claimed stressors for PTSD and obtaining updated VA treatment records for tinea cruris and tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the veteran's skin condition, including chloracne or an acneform disease consistent with chloracne. The examiner will determine if the veteran's current skin conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, but further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected skin disabilities do not require the use of medication that causes irreparable damage to his outer garments, thus denying his claim for an annual clothing allowance.

The veteran's right knee disability, status post arthroscopic medial meniscus removal, is rated at 10 percent. His allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of polyps or significant nasal obstruction. The veteran's eczema has been granted service connection but no specific rating assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of skin cancer or chloracne, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis with secondary hyperkeratosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings at any point.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the TDIU due to insufficient evidence showing that the veteran's service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unemployable prior to March 22, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea cruris is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. The claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD remains pending.