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

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for cystic acne with adenitis suppurativa of the axillae, to include on an extra-schedular basis pursuant to 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder associated with migraine headaches and migraine headaches, are shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if a skin condition involving the axillae and tinea pedis is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2009 and greater than 10 percent from that date. The disability covers less than 5% of the entire body or less than 5% of exposed areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by an accident, and not due to his service-connected conditions. However, as he had been rated totally disabled for over five years prior to his death, the claimant is entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and left wrist arthritis. The claim for chloracne is also reopened. However, the Board finds that additional development is needed to determine whether these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure or other causes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and a VA examination, including an opinion on the relationship between current skin conditions and in-service sun exposure.

The Veteran's skin disorders of the legs, feet, and toenails are presumed to be due to his service in Vietnam. His prostatitis is granted with a rating in excess of 40 percent from May 15, 2009 onwards. The Veteran's post-operative internal derangement of the right knee and degenerative joint disease of the right knee do not meet the criteria for increased ratings. Headaches are rated as 30 percent disabling prior to May 15, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Sjogren's syndrome and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent initial disability rating for folliculitis is granted. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 30 percent disability rating for his service-connected folliculitis from November 3, 1993, to July 3, 2001.

The Veteran's lichen simplex chronicus and tinea cruris are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the area of affected skin or use of systemic therapy. The Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted.

The Veteran died of natural causes with other significant conditions contributing to death but not related to the cause of death. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any disability was service-connected or caused his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected degenerative joint disease of multiple joints (including cervical and thoracolumbar spines) and eczema. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's skin disability, characterized by acne with resultant scarring affecting the back and chest, was found to meet the criteria for a 60 percent initial rating since November 9, 2006.

The Veteran's skin disability, specifically psudofolliculitis barbae (skin disability), is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied the claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin disorder affecting her bilateral arms. The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of her current condition.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's skin condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae and neurodermatitis, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to January 10, 2007, or as of that date. The Board found no evidence of severe disfigurement, extensive lesions, or marked disfigurement.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin conditions, specifically folliculitis and statis dermatitis, were not related to his service. The evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.