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

The Board finds no current residuals of the Veteran's in-service heat stroke and denies his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's acne-like skin condition (dermatitis) was granted a 10 percent evaluation effective as of April 1, 2004. The scar on her right inner thigh was denied an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected dyshidrotic eczema is now rated at 60 percent effective October 13, 2009. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for dyshidrotic eczema cannot be earlier than November 20, 2008 due to a lack of prior formal or informal claims indicating an intent to seek this benefit.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's skin condition has been assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of his service periods and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected dyshidrotic eczema of the hands, as the evidence did not show that it covered more than 40% of his body or affected more than 40% of exposed areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PFB and low back strain are both service-connected, with no further action required.

The Veteran's service-connected urticaria has manifested with recurrent debilitating episodes occurring at least four times during the past 12-month period, warranting a 30 percent rating. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings as he has not required continuous immunosuppressive therapy.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is rated as noncompensable, and his left foot dyshidrotic eczema is rated at 10%. The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private medical records and ensuring all directives in this remand have been accomplished.

The Veteran's service-connected acne and onychomycosis have not met the criteria for a higher initial evaluation, as they do not meet the requirements for disfigurement or deep scars.

The Veteran developed contact dermatitis and burns on his back as a result of using a TENS unit prescribed by VA for his service-connected lumbar spine disability. These conditions resolved with discontinuation of the TENS use.,The Veteran also developed a gastrointestinal disorder, likely due to ibuprofen prescribed by VA for his service-connected lumbar spine and fibromyalgia disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected scar, right side of nose with acne infection, was manifested by a scar at least one-quarter inch wide at widest part; a surface contour of scar elevated or depressed on palpation; a scar adherent to underlying tissue; skin hypopigmented and hyperpigmented in an area exceeding 6 square inches; and skin texture abnormal in an area exceeding 6 square inches. The Veteran's disability warranted a 50% rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to exposure to noise during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The foot disorder issue remains pending as no clear decision was made.

The Veteran's initial claims for higher disability ratings were denied. The VA assigned a 10% rating for the status post acne vulgaris with facial scars, effective from August 1, 2008 onwards. No compensable ratings were granted for active acne vulgaris on chest and right lateral epicondylitis (formerly olecranon bursitis).

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, and his tinea versicolor is rated at 10 percent prior to October 24, 2008, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for eczematoid dermatitis and tinea pedis with postoperative heloma of the right fourth digital interspace, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the claim as it pertains to this issue. Service connection remains pending for a chronic skin condition of the feet, chest, groin and ears (claimed as tinea corporis).