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

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for chloracne, to include as due to herbicide exposure. The evidence received since the last denial did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was manifested by small areas of papular lesions covering less than five percent of the body area and requiring no more than topical therapy on and prior to February 11, 2009. The RO denied a compensable evaluation for this condition.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right ankle scars, effective October 8, 2008. The claim for a compensable rating for tinea pedis of the left foot is still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a compensable rating for any of his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals, left leg mass excision due to new and material evidence received since the final denial in December 1990. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for dermatitis, left lower extremity is remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including psoriasis. The issue of whether his arthritis is secondary to his skin disorder remains pending and will be addressed in conjunction with this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and pes planus were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's seborrhea/eczema did not warrant a higher rating prior to March 17, 2011 and since then has only warranted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied as there is no current evidence of a chronic skin or liver disability, nor does the adjustment disorder meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain VA medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA dermatology examination in order to determine if he has a current skin disability, including skin cancer, related to his active service. The Veteran's DD form 214 indicates he served in Vietnam during the Vietnam Era, which provides him with presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his acne conglobata of the neck and upper to mid-back, including any associated scarring, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim remains on appeal for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea versicolor and for an effective date earlier than May 24, 2006, for the grant of service connection for tinea versicolor have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including chloracne and dermatitis, is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to his military service, particularly the treatment he received in July 1976 while on Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis of the face and scalp was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Canton-Potsdam Hospital from April 1, 2009 to April 3, 2009 is being remanded due to the need for clarification and additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and chloracne, effective December 15, 2008.,However, the claim for right ear hearing loss remains pending as new evidence was submitted to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's skin disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation based on its current severity. The Board finds that his claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) warrants a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 7828.