Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chloracne was granted, with a 40 percent rating effective April 12, 2007. A subsequent increase to 60 percent was assigned on January 11, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic tinea pedis and onychomycosis were rated at 30 percent from May 22, 2008. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 60 percent is warranted due to the need for near-constant systemic therapy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board video-conference hearing, which was rescheduled.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was rated as non-compensable from August 24, 2007 through November 21, 2010.,From November 22, 2010 to May 4, 2011, the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was rated as 10 percent disabling.,Effective from May 5, 2011, the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected psoriasis of the bilateral hands does not render him unemployable as he is capable of performing substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the July 2008 decision that established service connection for Dercum's disease and updated the Veteran's acne vulgaris rating. The effective date remains unchanged.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the assignment of a 60 percent disability rating for Dercum's disease, angiolipomas and acne vulgaris, as well as for the grant of a TDIU. The Veteran did not meet the schedular or extra-schedular criteria for these ratings prior to August 30, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic acne rosacea, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service due to noise exposure. The effective date is not specified as it was already in effect.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess the severity of his dermatitis. The Board will also determine if the Veteran's Morphea en coupe de sabre requires extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran developed a right inguinal hernia during Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and underwent surgical repair. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for the right inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's dermatitis has not affected at least five percent of exposed areas, or at least five percent of his total body area, and immunosuppressive therapy has not been prescribed. Therefore, the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis, which involves his feet, hands, and scalp, is currently rated at a 10 percent disability level.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to this point.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg pain and seborrheic dermatitis are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's tinea pedis, onychomycosis of all toes of the feet, and tinea unguium of the hands are productive of dermatitis or eczema affecting less than 40 percent of exposed areas. The Board has determined that these conditions warrant a combined rating of 30% under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for atopic dermatitis (eczema) on the face and scalp areas, finding that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis of the bilateral wrist and ankles, and residuals of a rib fracture to include chest pain were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected epidermophytosis with tinea cruris did not cover more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas, and treatment did not include constant or near-constant systemic therapy. Therefore, his claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the appellant's skin conditions are related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim will be reconsidered based on the results of this examination.