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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis warrants a 60 percent rating since the date of filing of his claim, based on near-constant systemic therapy for the disability during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for athlete's foot was also addressed, with the claim being reopened. However, the Board found that there is no evidence showing that a skin condition of the hands and feet, including dyshidrotic eczema and athlete's foot, was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for epididymitis, condyloma acuminata, onychomycosis with tinea pedis, and status-post varicocele have all been granted. The Veteran is now receiving a noncompensable rating for his onychomycosis with tinea pedis, but he has received compensable ratings (10%) for epididymitis, condyloma acuminata, and status-post varicocele.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and addressing the TDIU claim. The chloracne rating and service connection for a bilateral foot disorder will also be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's tinea pedis covered less than five percent of his entire body and did not require systemic therapy, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of updated rating criteria.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including EDP and superficial mixed cell dermatitis, is found to have been incurred during his active service in Iraq. The Board finds the continuity of symptoms from service discharge to the present sufficient for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right great toe disorder and tinea pedis of both feet with dystrophic nail were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The Veteran was denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and tinea unguium with tinea pedis and onychomycosis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of more than the currently assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not continuously rated totally disabling for at least five years from the date of his separation from service, and he did not meet the requirement of being a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected acne scarring with pitting is currently rated at 30 percent, and no higher. The condition covers a significant area of the face and neck, meeting criteria for two or three characteristics of disfigurement.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, a chronic skin disorder (claimed as eczema and/or chloracne), peripheral neuropathy, and Type II diabetes mellitus were all denied. The evidence did not show any in-service or post-service connection to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted. Service connection was denied for chloracne, exposure to Agent Orange, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for reopening the previously denied eczematous dermatitis (previously evaluated as seborrhoid dermatitis) was granted. Service connection for this condition is also established.,An increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, forehead and cheeks, minimal, currently noncompensable, remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disorders have increased in severity, requiring near-constant systemic therapy of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs for control. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for the service-connected skin disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinea pedis, low back disability, facial skin disability, neck disability, and tinnitus. The decisions were based on a lack of evidence showing continuity of symptomatology or direct link to service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for chloracne was increased to 30 percent effective April 20, 2009. The previous rating of 10 percent from December 13, 1989 through April 19, 2009 remains in effect.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.