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

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis of the feet involves an exposed surface or extensive area, thus preventing a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for rashes and boils on a direct basis or presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity of his service-connected skin conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a kidney disorder, hypertension, and Crohn's disease. The claim for reopening of pseudofolliculitis barbae was also denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional evidence to be obtained and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has awarded an effective date of September 23, 2003 for service connection of chloracne based on the liberalizing Agent Orange Act of 1991. The Veteran's credible testimony and VA examination results support his claim that he experienced chloracne or its residuals since discharge from service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for the conditions claimed.

The Veteran's tinea cruris is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active military service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current disability was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's service connection claim for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is being reviewed due to new evidence suggesting it may have started during her military service. Her tinea pedis rating appeal remains pending.

The Board is remanding the case to comply with a previous directive from January 2008, which required the VA examiner to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses of toenail fungus and tinea pedis are related to his service treatment for dermatophytosis of the toes and bilateral athlete's foot.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris is found to be aggravated by service, and the residuals of her myomectomy are rated at 30 percent. The Veteran does not have a separate scar rating as it was well healed.

The Veteran's tinea cruris has been rated at 60 percent since March 11, 2008. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected neurodermatitis, also diagnosed as lichen simplex chronicus, is rated at 60 percent for the period from July 25, 2007. The claim for SMC for aid and attendance of his spouse was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and tinea corporis have been granted. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux has been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum from the examiner who performed a March 2009 examination.