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

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for eczema, tinea versicolor and tinea pedis has been dismissed due to his failure to respond to requests for evidence within a year following the date of request.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities have been evaluated, but none of the claims for increased ratings are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea cruris, finding that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus at least as likely as not caused his tinea cruris. The claims for eczema and pemphigus are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acne and seborrheic dermatitis, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's symptoms of muscle fatigue, shakes, twitching, right hip pain, neck pain, bowel problems, headaches, and skin disorders are attributed to diagnosed conditions (Multiple Sclerosis, cervical strain, degenerative joint disease, functional diarrhea, headache disorder, seborrhea, tinea versicolor) rather than an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's skin rash, diagnosed as atopic dermatitis, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The condition has been present since the early 1960s and continues to cause significant symptoms including itching and dark lesions on his hands, legs, back, and buttocks.

The Veteran's current chronic venous insufficiency with stasis dermatitis and sensorimotor lower extremity polyneuropathy are not shown to be due to his military service, or caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, diagnosed as tinea and onychomycosis, was found to have been incurred in service. The claim for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is pending.

The Veteran's skin condition and leg disabilities have been rated, but the appeal is denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a more contemporaneous VA examination and any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, a skin condition, and a stomach condition due to reopening of the claims based on new evidence.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic athlete's foot, and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for this condition. The right wrist condition with pain was found to be related to military service, but the sinusitis claim was denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. Headaches were also found not to be secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to afford him a Travel Board hearing. The issues of increased rating for skin disability, service connection for various conditions including difficulty with breathing, loss of vision (claimed as swollen eyes), lack of sleep, dentures, psychiatric disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his dermatitis of the feet has been granted service connection. The effective date remains to be determined as it was changed from June 6, 2005 to April 5, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a 70 percent disability rating effective from November 13, 2007. The claim for chloracne remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's tinea pedis has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation since July 21, 2000.

The Veteran does not have a skin disability, including acne and dermatitis with erythematous lesions, that is attributable to his active military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's dermatitis of the left leg, finding that it involved only approximately 2 to 3 percent of his entire body and was treated with topical therapy.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for PFB was granted in March 2007, and a subsequent increase to 10 percent effective August 5, 2009. Service connection for sinusitis was denied.