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

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, and psoriasis are all found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran also has a TDIU claim pending.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including tinea pedis, tinea manuum, and tinea cruris, is found to have originated during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 1995. The Board finds that the Veteran's current skin disorders are related to treatment for athlete's foot during this ACDUTRA period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea barb�, pseudofolliculitis. The issues of service connection for rhinorrhea and headaches are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the combined rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities is correct and properly computed.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are both currently rated at 20 percent, which also do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's tinea versicolor is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for soft tissue sarcoma, a skin disorder (chloracne), and hypothyroidism due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran's claims are supported by his service records showing chronic skin disorders during service and current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to be 40 percent disabling, but do not meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for atopic dermatitis and headaches. The case is now being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current skin disabilities and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for her right thumb sprain and service connection for eczema are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, renal insufficiency with hypertension, incisional hernia, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and impotence, right knee disability, left knee disability, neurodermatitis, tinnitus, limitation of motion of the right knee, hearing loss, and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection or higher ratings for most conditions, with some exceptions.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, dizziness, anxiety, high cholesterol, and a cervical spine disability. The claim for hypertension was not reopened as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psoriasis is related to his military service and grants service connection for psoriasis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral foot condition. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service exposure, but his tinnitus and foot conditions are not.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to allow for a VA examination and the issuance of a statement of the case (SOC) on his skin disability claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and her tinea versicolor of the face and thorax is currently rated at 10 percent. Both conditions do not meet criteria for higher ratings under current rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and eczema on the right hand are being remanded due to a need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae originated during service and is therefore granted. The issue of bilateral eye disability will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective July 6, 2000 based on his service-connected hidradenitis suppurative with acne vulgaris with scars and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.