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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected syringomas and pseudofolliculitis barbae are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7899-7806. The RO has granted this increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eczematoid dermatitis of the feet was denied. The claims to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as hepatitis B and C, were also denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for his skin disorder was reduced from 60% to 30%, but the Board has determined that this reduction was not proper and restored the original 60% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and an inadequate review of the claims folder.

The Veteran's service-connected dishydrotic eczema of the hands and feet with recurrent cellulitis, rated at 50 percent, and appendectomy scar, rated noncompensable zero percent, do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his back and neurological conditions are the primary factors preventing employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable disability rating for her service-connected eczema, left knee disability, or migraine headaches. She was also denied service connection for bilateral athlete's foot, low back pain, and abdominal pain.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the appellant's current conditions to his military service or any incident therein, including exposure to chemical dioxins. Therefore, service connection for all claimed conditions was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for seborrhea dermatitis and an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for GERD and hiatal hernia, effective October 1, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional STRs and VA records, as well as SSA disability determination records.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's chloracne is related to his service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further action is required to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records from his first period of active duty. Additionally, VA examinations are needed for fatigue, vertigo, bilateral foot/ankle condition, bilateral hand/wrist/forearm condition, and seborrheic dermatitis due to their complexity and the need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic neck, back, and left foot disorders have been granted. His claim for increased disability evaluation for his left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome has also been granted with a current rating of 20%. The Veteran's claim for compensable disability evaluation for bilateral gynecomastia is pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant's skin disability, manifested by repeated recurrences of lesions on various body parts and requiring multiple courses of antibiotics, warrants a rating of 60 percent under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's service-connected scars have been rated as noncompensable. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the scars on the right leg, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's neurodermatitis was found to be less than 5% of the total body or exposed area affected, and no systemic therapy was required. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disease, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, hives, irritation, rash, and fungal infection of nails, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for acne. The VA has scheduled a dermatology examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed skin condition, including whether it preexisted or was incurred in service.