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

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for hearing loss and TDIU, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The effective date for the grant of a TDIU was determined to be September 26, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examinations and missing VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral lower leg condition and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for psoriasis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of either ankle, suppurative otitis media in the left ear, or seborrheic dermatitis. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left eye iritis. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bunions of the bilateral feet, a low back disability, and tinea versicolor (skin disability) are remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis has been shown to be manifested by slight exfoliation, exudation or itching on unexposed and small areas; it has been shown to affect less than 5 percent of the entire body and of exposed areas affected and it has required no more than topical therapy.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypothyroidism, chloracne (claimed as acne), and blepharitis and macular degeneration, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct connection to active service or secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, chloracne, and tinea cruris (jungle rot) were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increased evaluation as they are currently evaluated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diagnosed psoriasis is not related to his service-connected hepatitis C disability and thus, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's current chronic otitis externa/dermatitis is found to have its onset during service and is otherwise causally related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Veteran's appeal in regard to an increased rating for post-operative residuals of a right knee injury has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his notice of disagreement. The case is remanded for further action regarding the claim for an increased rating for eczema/dermatitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and tinea versicolor of the neck were denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to her military service. Her claim for herpes was granted with a non-compensable rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both feet, finding that it is due to herbicide exposure in service. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for dermatitis of both feet will be addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran seeks nonservice-connected pension benefits due to permanent and total disabilities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration disability compensation records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and tinea cruris have been characterized by recurrent outbreaks on his groin and feet necessitating antifungal treatment, and the Board has found that these conditions more nearly approximate a disability rating of 30 percent for the entire initial rating period.

The Veteran's skin disability is not service connected as it was not present in service and there is no evidence linking the current condition to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's dermatitis of the forearms, legs, and palms was related to his military service. His bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis of the midfoot has been rated at 30 percent.