Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is hyperpigmented in an area exceeding 39 square centimeters and the skin texture is abnormal, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, an initial compensable rating for residuals of a healed laceration of the left knee, and an effective date earlier than November 14, 1996, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The claim for chloracne was granted with an effective date of November 14, 1996.

The Veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Grandview Medical Center on October 24, 2009. The claim is being remanded to obtain additional records and review under the appropriate provisions of law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's shortness of breath is not service-connected due to being attributable to cigarette smoking. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fungal foot infection, and skin spots are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease was denied, and his increased rating claim for chronic cystic acne vulgaris of the face, chest, and back was granted with a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his right forearm scar, left foot plantar fasciitis, and PFB have been granted. The right forearm scar received a 10 percent evaluation, the left foot condition was rated noncompensable, and PFB is currently rated at 30 percent since September 15, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for atopic dermatitis, but denied it on its merits. The claim of service connection for residuals of right ankle injury was newly presented and is currently under review.,Service connection for atopic dermatitis was previously denied due to pre-existing condition aggravation not being shown. Service connection for residuals of right ankle injury has been reopened.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal is currently pending as the RO has granted a higher rating for her residuals of hysterectomy for fibroid uterus.

The Veteran's onychomycosis and tinea pedis were incurred in service, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not these conditions began during his military service.

The Veteran's case was remanded for further development, including obtaining records from the Vet Center in Brockton, MA. The case is now being returned to the Board for readjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disabilities, including dermatitis, eczema, and onychomycosis, were not incurred in service or due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show a chronic disease during service or within the presumptive period after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and psoriasis were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's skin disabilities of the feet do not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PFB was granted, but the current effective date remains unclear. The Board found that prior to July 14, 2010, his PFB did not warrant an increased rating beyond 10 percent. From July 14, 2010, he is rated at 30 percent for PFB.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for psoriasis, including review of VA outpatient records and a VA examination to assess systemic manifestations.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for a hiatal hernia, subacute peripheral neuropathy, and chloracne. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his skin disorder, including whether it is related to service, exposure to herbicide in Vietnam, or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand/arm carpal tunnel syndrome and left arm condition. The skin disorder claim was partially granted, with a 30 percent rating retroactively effective from April 24, 1997, and a 60 percent rating since February 8, 2007. The low back disability claim also had some partial success in increasing the initial rating to 20 percent but denied extra-schedular ratings.