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

The claim for service connection for skin disability, including tinea pedis and manus, was reopened as new and material evidence was received. Service connection for bilateral hand neuropathy was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected tinea corporis of both forearms and the right anterior chest wall, finding that August 5, 2004, was the earliest possible effective date.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for dermatitis, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin disability, including chloracne, as there was no evidence of a chronic skin disability during or shortly after service and the current skin conditions were not related to service.

The veteran's left knee disability is not manifested by ankylosis, extension limited to 30 degrees, or nonunion of the tibia and fibula. The dermatitis affects less than 5 percent of his entire body with no more than topical therapy required for treatment.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for chloracne were denied.

The appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of the veteran's service-connected psoriasis.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for keloids of the anterior neck area, residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae was remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's chronic folliculitis of the scalp with alopecia did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's atopic dermatitis with chronic eczema was rated 50 percent from December 27, 1993 to August 29, 2003 and 60 percent on and after August 30, 2003. No higher rating was granted.

The veteran's left knee and right knee conditions do not warrant a compensable rating, while his eczema warrants a 10 percent evaluation from October 31, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder, bilateral pes planus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as there is no evidence of chronic residuals or current disability related to these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected folliculitis of the thighs and buttocks with lichen simplex chronicus of the scrotum does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for toenail fungus but granted service connection for acne and moles, which are part of the veteran's service-connected skin disabilities.

The veteran's initial ratings for bilateral pes planus and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, impairment of the right lower extremity, major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, left ring finger arthralgia, and dermatitis. However, it granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for sinus allergies/allergic rhinitis and higher initial ratings for hemorrhoids, tinea corporis eczema/rashes, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis was reopened as new and material evidence was submitted, but the Board found no connection between his military service and his current condition. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, chronic lumbar strain and tinea pedis, do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.