Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids have been rated as noncompensable, and his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae has been rated at 30%. The Board finds the February 2009 VA examination inadequate for evaluating the pseudofolliculitis barbae under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for erectile dysfunction and pharyngitis resulting from VA care were denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of a December 2008 VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's skin condition. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for follicular dermatitis with residual scars effective January 9, 2010, finding that the April 2009 decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Veteran's lichen planus chronicus claim remains pending.

The Veteran's eczema and/or dermatitis did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it affected less than 20 to 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy was required.

The Veteran's asthma/bronchitis, tinea pedis, hearing loss, and tinnitus claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining service treatment records, VA examinations, and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. He also seeks a higher initial rating for his ischemic heart disease with coronary artery disease and entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction and a skin disorder.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension. The RO has yet to issue a Statement of the Case on this issue, as it pertains to both the effective date assigned for hearing loss and the disability rating assigned for hypertension.,The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for his ischemic heart disease with coronary artery disease and entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction and a skin disorder. The RO has yet to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues, as they are intertwined with the earlier effective date claim for hearing loss.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his erectile dysfunction and a skin disorder (psoriasis). He contends that both conditions are related to his active duty service or exposure to herbicides. The RO has yet to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues, as they are intertwined with the earlier effective date claim for hearing loss.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his skin disorder (psoriasis). He contends that it is related to exposure to herbicides during active duty. The RO has yet to issue a Statement of the Case on this issue, as it is intertwined with the earlier effective date claim for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include seeking an effective date prior to May 9, 2008, for PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia; service connection for Raynaud's disease, eczema, and psoriasis; evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD; and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition of the lower legs, claimed as tinea cruris and fungal infection, requires further development due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for an opinion regarding the relationship between current conditions and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's eczema is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disability, urinary incontinence, dyshidrotic eczema, and osteoarthritis of the right knee were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding her dental disability or her claim for urinary incontinence. For dyshidrotic eczema, the Board noted that there was no demonstration by medical or lay evidence of record of a current disability requiring systemic therapy. For osteoarthritis of the right knee, the Board found slight limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic dermatitis is granted. However, the Board finds that there is not enough evidence to support a finding of service connection for any other skin disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service or any incident thereof, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to lack of timely filing of a notice of disagreement for the denial of service connection for degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's claims for other conditions were denied as they are not compensable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's skin disorders are not service connected as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to radiation exposure, and there is no medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service or in-service radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected dermatitis of the hands is being remanded due to his request for a hearing by live videoconference.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased disability ratings and service connection claims. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records, scheduling VA examinations, and ensuring the examination reports comply with the directives of this remand.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 15, 2004 for service connection for diabetes was denied. The Board found that the earliest allowable effective date under applicable criteria is November 15, 2004.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psoriasis has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, and thus grants his claim for this condition as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psoriasis is at least as likely as not related to his in-service skin problems, and thus service connection for psoriasis is granted.