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

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to his military service, including alcohol abuse, skin disorders, psychiatric disabilities, or low back issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current skin disorders of the feet, diagnosed as tinea pedis and anonychia, are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service treatment records show he had pseudofolliculitis barbae during service, but there is no current evidence of the condition. The Board denies service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for PTSD, benign prostatic hypertrophy, a skin disability (dyshidrotic eczema of both feet), hypertension, any abnormality of the reproductive system, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. The claims are now reopened.

The Veteran's claim for an increase rating for dermatitis with scars, also claimed as eczema, is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the percentage of affected skin area and the prescribed topical hydrocortisone treatment.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae or Tinea Pedis, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for psoriasis is granted, as the evidence is approximately balanced with negative evidence on this issue. The Board finds that the Veteran incurred psoriasis during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for recurrent dermatitis was denied as her condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the appellant's eczema had improved, warranting a reduction from a 30 percent evaluation to noncompensable effective August 1, 2007.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chloracne is denied, but his folliculitis is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims and determined that new evidence received since the prior denial does not establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions. The evidence is insufficient to support a finding of an undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed skin disorders, musculoskeletal strain, numbness of the hands, facial congestion and breathing difficulties, sperm or semen abnormalities, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected scalp folliculitis.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor skin condition was rated at 30 percent disabling from June 3, 2004 through January 10, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected infundi bulofolliculitis warrants a 60 percent rating, reflecting constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids. This is the highest possible schedular disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates were denied as the earliest date of entitlement is March 3, 2004.

The Veteran's skin cancer was not found to be related to his service or herbicide exposure. His eczematous dermatitis is considered a secondary condition and the Board did not find it related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive dermatology examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of his skin disorders, including whether they are related to service or presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis with onychomycosis, finding that the Veteran's skin disorder began during active service and had continuity of symptoms after discharge. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible testimony regarding his in-service skin problems.