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

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, folliculitis with excoriations, is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current skin conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is unable to perform his occupation, and his employment handicap does not render him unsuitable for employment in a suitable field. Therefore, additional vocational rehabilitation services are denied.

The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for any complaints or findings of a skin disorder, to include dermatitis and eczema. The first evidence of record of a diagnosis is over 35 years after his separation from the military. There is no competent opinion linking the current skin disorder to his period of service, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ulcerative colitis and tinea corporis, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during service or post-service continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's stasis dermatitis of both legs has not affected more than 20 percent of his exposed areas or required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids, thus preventing him from receiving a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran experienced an in-service stressor or currently has PTSD related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by sterility, cellulitis of the left arm, residuals of enterocolitis, or dermatitis of the left hand. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection for tinea cruris and PTSD are still under review.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for seborrheic dermatitis was denied. The August 1998 denial of service connection for dizziness, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is final. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for dizziness.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and psoriasis were denied.,His claim for an increased rating for erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The claim for a lumbar spine disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the other claims remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand condition and initial compensable ratings for hearing loss and healed cystic acne with pitting. The Veteran was not granted any benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and an increased rating for tinea cruris due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination of his service connected disabilities, and determining whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vision problems, and his claims for increased ratings for residuals of a gunshot wound of the right lower leg, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board found no evidence of a permanent increase in severity of the Veteran's preexisting skin condition during service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis is rated at 60 percent since March 25, 2008. Prior to that date, the condition was rated at 30 percent.