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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), finding no evidence of these conditions in service or linking them to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural defects in the notification provided by VA.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for service-connected tinea pedis, entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and tension headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for folliculitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, hepatitis C, and PTSD on the merits. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy or provided credible supporting evidence of his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected inflammatory papulocystic acne with scarring is remanded due to inadequate examination and missing medical records.

The Veteran's dyshidrosis dermatitis is intermittently treated with systemic corticosteroids for a total duration of less than six weeks during a 12-month period, and thus does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of a 10 percent schedular rating.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae requires the use of a prescribed medication that causes irreparable damage to outer garments, warranting an annual clothing allowance for 2006.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for chloracne and skin disorder prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have established service connection for any of his claimed disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, knee, right ankle, foot, and eye disabilities. The only condition found to be related to service is a fungal infection of the nails.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea cruris and left knee disability are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's pruritis, tinea cruris was found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7817 due to systemic therapy with corticosteroids lasting six weeks or more.

The Veteran's skin rash (folliculitis) and right eye injury are both found to be service-connected. The pes anserine bursitis of the right knee is evaluated as 0 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for venous stasis dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chloracne, and any such condition is not related to his service in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure is denied.

The Veteran's chloracne, a type of folliculitis related to Agent Orange exposure during service, is found to be incurred in active service.

The Board denied service connection for a skin rash, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service and do not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor, increased saliva production, right shoulder disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, tinea pedis, bilateral hallux valgus, and hammer toe deformity with corns due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and keratoses pilaris. The evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and service, but it raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease at L4-5 was denied. His claim for an increased rating for psoriasis, currently rated as 60 percent disabling, was granted.