Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin condition, including acne keloidis nuchae with androgenous alopecia. The Veteran's current skin disorder is not etiologically related to his active service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's initial claim for service-connected bilateral tinea pedis was granted, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation. The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is rated at 30 percent and remains unchanged.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant, as well as his service connection claims for scabies, superimposed on fungal infection, dyshidrotic eczema, and hypertension. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his skin disabilities. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hearing loss will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing skin disorder, tinea versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis, was aggravated by his service in the Southwest theater of operations during the Gulf War. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's skin disorder, which includes eczema and nummular eczema, has been productive of exfoliation, exudation, or itching on an extensive area. The Board finds that a 10 percent disability evaluation is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected skin disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service-connected chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease and dyshidrotic eczema and herpes simplex claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a deviated nasal septum is granted. Initial compensable evaluations are granted for DJD of the right hip, DJD of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. Service connection for tinea corporis is also granted.

The Veteran's psoriasis is manifested by large erythematous and eczematous plaques covering more than 40 percent of his body, primarily located in the perianal region and sacrum, groin (including scrotum), scalp, arms and elbows, bilateral anterior thighs, knees, and buttocks. The Board has determined that a disability rating of 60 percent is warranted as of July 29, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne and jungle rot in both feet, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic vaginitis, and a skin condition (acne), finding no current disability in any of these areas.

The Veteran's service-connected eczematous dermatitis was granted a disability rating of 30 percent effective December 11, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and retaining some type of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions are not attributable to his military service and do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claim is dismissed as a result.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor and soft tissue sarcoma of the left knee, both secondary to herbicide exposure. The claims were previously denied in September 1994 and February 1997 respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his skin disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's tinea pedis, a dermatological condition affecting the feet, is rated at 10 percent. The disability picture does not warrant a higher rating as there are no scars or significant skin changes that would justify a higher evaluation.