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

The Veteran's current bilateral foot condition is related to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for jungle rot of both feet.

The Veteran's service-connected residual scars have been manifested by superficial scarring without pain, instability, or loss of function. The criteria for an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent and 30 percent have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and dermatitis. However, it denied service connection for heart disease as there is no evidence linking it to service or exposure to TCE.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the head, face, neck, chest and back is not due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board finds no signs of a chronic skin disorder affecting the upper body until many years after his period of active service.

The Veteran's psoriasis is service-connected, and the liver disease is also service-connected as secondary to Methotrexate used for psoriasis treatment.,The primary cause of death was advanced cirrhosis due to a service-connected liver disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran is now entitled to an evaluation of 30 percent for his pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis is caused by his service-connected psoriasis and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his alopecia with atopic/contact dermatitis of the forehead and groin area was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that the condition covered more than 40% of the entire body or affected more than 40% of exposed areas, nor required constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs during the past twelve-month period. As a result, he is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for this condition. The Veteran's claim for extension of his temporary 100% evaluation based on surgical treatment was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that his condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's seborrhea dermatitis had its onset during active duty service and is at least in equipoise with a finding of service connection. The Board also found that her current hemorrhoids were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for acne with cysts and residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied. The acne condition is currently rated at 30 percent, while the TBI residuals are not evaluated due to lack of specific findings.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis and onychomycosis are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claims for service connection and increased ratings.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted evidence was cumulative and did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the dermatitis claim.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a removal of a lesion from the lower lip was granted. The Veteran also received an initial rating of 30 percent for his GERD with diverticular disease, status post surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions to address the etiology of his claimed conditions and their relationship to service or other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current disability status and ability to perform daily activities.