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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of COPD, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris are not related to service and have denied these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for dermatitis herpetiformis (claimed as a skin condition) has been dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea pedis and tinea cruris due to the need for further examination and notification.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, diagnosed as tinea pedis, onychomycosis, bilateral stasis dermatitis, and eczematous dermatitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address whether the Veteran's tinea pedis and impotence are caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's skin condition, including guttate hypomelanosis and dermatitis, has been found to be related to his active service. The Board granted the claim of service connection for a skin disorder.

The VA determined that the appellant's skin conditions, including seborrheic keratosis and atopic dermatitis over the trunk and chronic venous insufficiency with venous stasis dermatitis of both lower legs, are not related to his service. The Board found the appellant's statements regarding a 'jungle rot' condition during service were not credible.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA specialist's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected status post thyroidectomy contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for chest and trunk acne and scalp seborrheic dermatitis was denied. The RO/AMC found that the conditions did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 3, 2008, or in excess of 60 percent since then.

The Veteran's chloracne, a disease presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, was found to have manifested within one year of his last exposure in August 1969. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's skin disease, including onychomycosis of the toenails and tinea pedis with ear infections, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it affects less than 20% of his body or exposed areas.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded to allow for additional examinations, obtainment of SSA records, and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including laser burns to the eyes, skin disability, porphyria cutanea tarda, and soft tissue carcinoma. The decision is final as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis was denied an increased rating as there is insufficient evidence to determine the severity of his condition and he failed to cooperate with VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran not filing a timely substantive appeal regarding his service-connected skin condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a podiatrist examination, and readjudicating the issues of service connection for plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur and heel spur and entitlement to an evaluation for tinea pedis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema with dermatophytosis and onychomycosis affects less than 5 percent of the entire body or exposed areas, requires no more than topical therapy, and does not manifest any characteristics of disfigurement or scarring. Therefore, he is not entitled to a compensable rating.