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

The Veteran's skin disorder, including dermatitis/eczema, is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on his service-connected conditions has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his request for a higher rating for anterior cruciate ligament instability of the left knee. His claims for type II diabetes mellitus, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, and dermatitis remain unresolved.

The Veteran's skin disorder, variously diagnosed as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, dermatosis, folliculitis, and dermatitis of the face and back is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current manifestations of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied as there is no current evidence of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and probable etiology of any nasal disability or residuals of nasal trauma. The Veteran's service connection claim for tinea pedis and onychomycosis and right eye condition will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for genital herpes, eczema of the elbows and neck, and right toenail onychomycosis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected skin conditions.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including tinea cruris and tinea pedis, are service-connected. However, the VA examiner found no evidence of 'jungle rot' but diagnosed tinea pedis by history with symptoms on examination. The case is remanded for further development to determine if these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not cover at least 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, nor did systemic therapy require more than six weeks in the past year.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including psoriasis and eczema, are service-connected due to aggravation during service. His hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea manuum and onychomycosis of the right hand was increased to a 10% evaluation effective September 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, service connection for chloracne, and service connection for headaches were denied. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for seborrheic dermatitis since October 4, 2000. The claim for service connection for the cause of death was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma, and entitlement to an increased evaluation for service-connected atopic eczema were also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of tinea versicolor, atopic dermatitis, or a sternum disability related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent initial rating for eczema with tinea pedis from August 1, 2005, to May 9, 2006. After that date, the evidence does not support an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective date were granted. He was assigned a 10 percent rating for dermatitis, effective February 28, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is manifested by superficial lesions that are painful and warrants a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and onychomycosis were granted service connection as they are related to his service. The right knee disorder is also granted service connection, but secondary to his already service-connected left knee disability. Service connection for the muscle condition in the left leg was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic dermatitis of the hands, elbows, and feet is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the current evidence.