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

The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with scars had its onset in service and is considered a direct result of his military service. Toxic encephalopathy was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the condition was incurred during active duty and is related to his military service. The veteran's bilateral gynecomastia status post breast reduction claim did not result in a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae is appropriate, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of his vocational rehabilitation training and providing proper VCAA notice regarding the requirements for a higher disability rating for BPH.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea manus of the left hand is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence linking any other skin disability, other than of the left hand, to his service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The claim for chloracne, presumed due to herbicide exposure, was granted. However, the effective date earlier than May 8, 2001 for the award of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with associated peripheral neuropathy of both feet as a result of herbicide exposure was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder claimed as due to herbicide exposure and secondary to diabetes mellitus. The veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are not presumed related to Agent Orange exposure, nor were they incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent from February 18, 2005 to November 1, 2006. The claims for tinea pedis and diverticulosis have been granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for dermatitis, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The decision also addressed his increased rating claims for left knee degenerative joint disease and dislocation disability but did not assign a specific evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, tinea pedis of the bilateral feet, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for psoriasis and also denied his request for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a left herniorrhaphy, including the surgical scar. The evidence received since the August 1961 denial did not relate the current skin condition or hernia to military service.

The veteran is granted TDIU prior to October 31, 2006 due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU as of October 31, 2006, has been rendered moot.

The veteran's tinea pedis warrants an extraschedular disability rating of 50 percent, and his individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities warrants a total disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable ratings for hemorrhoids and tinea pedis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for eczema or acne, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his poor balance caused by decreased eyesight and impaired depth perception, as well as weakness and numbness in his extremities. The Board finds that he is unable to function without supervision and assistance.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension, psoriasis, and osteopenia have been granted initial disability ratings. The veteran's DVT claim is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, chloracne, unspecified skin disability, and organic brain disorder due to a lack of evidence indicating an intent to file an informal claim prior to February 15, 1996.

The veteran's fungal dermatitis and ichthyosis vulgaris are currently controlled by topical medication, affecting less than 5% of the total body surface area. The Board finds that these conditions do not meet or approximate the requirements for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for external and internal hemorrhoids and tinea pedis with onychomycosis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.