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

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a skin disability (claimed as jungle rot) and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last final denial supports the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective dates for the granted benefits are established.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including weakness and lack of energy, memory loss, insomnia, sore muscles, joint aches, skin disability (intertrigo and tinea cruris), and psychiatric disability. The decision was based on the absence of evidence of chronic disabilities related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions (eczematoid dermatitis, dengue fever, and malaria) were not principal or contributory causes of his death. The primary cause of death was listed as sepsis from gas gangrene and a urinary tract infection due to decubitus ulcers.

The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular criteria, and therefore no higher rating can be assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his psoriasis claim and service connection for hypertensive atherosclerotic disease as due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not establish new and material evidence for reopening the psoriasis claim, nor was there any evidence linking the hypertension or heart disability to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total abdominal hysterectomy with right oophorectomy and status post cholecystectomy and sigmoid colectomy, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected dyshidrotic eczema is rated at 60 percent effective October 13, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for nummular eczema and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis has been rated at 30 percent since October 25, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis and right arm and right chest lipoma, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinea cruris has been dismissed as he failed to provide the necessary releases for outstanding evidence, which is critical to his case.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis of the hands, feet, and groin, to include as secondary to the service-connected seborrhea of the scalp and face.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, migraine headaches, and seborrheic dermatitis have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the claimed conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected skin conditions have been evaluated as noncompensably disabling. The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected onychomycosis of the toenails, tinea pedis, tinea cruris and tinea corporis.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, his left knee disability remains at 10 percent, and his skin disorder prior to February 4, 2008, is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor is rated at 30 percent, which approximates the criteria for eczema with exudation or itching constant, extensive lesions, or marked disfigurement.

The Board denied service connection for hematuria, dry eyes (loss of lachrymal glands), and keloid scar with pseudofolliculitis barbae and papules. The underlying medical conditions causing these symptoms were not identified in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinea pedis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant an increased evaluation as there is less than 20% of his entire body or exposed areas affected.