Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disabilities did not have their onset in service or due to herbicide exposure, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinea of the palms and feet was not present in service or until many years after, and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin, including his exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, a right leg disorder, and sling palsy of the right hand as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Erie County Medical Center and Buffalo General Hospital. The issues of higher initial evaluations for hemorrhoids, service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, and entitlement to TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he does not have the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of asteatotic eczema, which was dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The appeal is remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's claim is for an increased rating for a bilateral foot condition, currently rated at 10 percent. The case has been remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and new evidence.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp affects less than 40 percent of exposed areas and does not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy. The disability is rated at 30%.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, inguinal hernias, Achilles tendonitis of the right foot, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, thoracic spine condition, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee condition, and skin condition (psoriasis, warts, abscesses, cysts) have been reopened. Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of atopic dermatitis and genital herpes, as well as service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to genital herpes, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and headaches, both related to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and jungle rot/tinea pedis were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted a 10 percent rating from October 21, 2002 to August 30, 2006. Since then, the condition has not involved more than an estimated 5-20 percent of exposed skin surface and thus does not meet criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's lumbar back disorder is rated at 20 percent since August 31, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected contact dermatitis and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee are currently rated at 10% each. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence showing less than 5% skin involvement for the dermatitis, and full range of motion with mild symptoms for the knee.

The Veteran's tinea pedis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an increased rating is granted. The issue of reopening his previously denied ear disorder claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including as secondary to herbicide and cold weather exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.