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

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating for tinea pedis, effective December 6, 2005. Prior to this date, his condition did not warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his right hand disability.,The veteran's PTSD claim remains pending with an initial rating in excess of 30 percent still under consideration.,The veteran's chloracne claim, reopened on new evidence, is also pending.

The Board found that the veteran's pharyngeal cancer and psoriasis were not caused or aggravated by any incident of active military service, and at the time of his death, he had no service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected tinea corporis with onychomycosis, finding that his symptoms now affect a large percentage of his body when they are most severe.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for hearing loss and psoriasis as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a skin disorder, claimed as chloracne, is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The Board finds that entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder in general is reasonably inferred from the record.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for chloracne and diabetes mellitus as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including new examinations and acquisition of clinical data. The veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability due to Agent Orange exposure and an earlier effective date for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation or entitlement to TDIU.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea pedis of both feet is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disability, tinea pedis and nummular eczema, did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of more than 10 percent. The evidence showed that his skin disorder affected only six percent of his body, with no systemic therapy required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes, hypertension, and skin condition are not related to his military service. Service connection is denied for all three conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a separate skin disability of the eyelids, as his current condition is part of his already service-connected seborrheic dermatitis. Therefore, the claim for service connection for this specific issue is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left ankle disability and for a compensable rating for tinea versicolor.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected acne vulgaris, effective June 17, 2004.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected skin disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed with respect to his claims for service connection for breathing problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, dermatitis and follicular occlusion syndrome of the neck, back and belt line, joint pain including neck, back, and legs, muscle aches, allergy to chemicals, incontinence, and chronic sinusitis. As such, these issues are dismissed.