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

The Veteran's fungal infection of the feet was not incurred in service, as there is no evidence linking it to his military service. The Board found that the condition first appeared decades after service and did not provide a clear link to service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current skin disorders are not related to his active military service and did not arise due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of a connection between the Veteran's in-service sun exposure and his current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae (claimed as acne vulgaris), dermatitis, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stasis dermatitis with ulceration of the left leg and right leg, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of increased ratings for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L3-4 and PTSD. The remaining issue of an increased rating for left knee arthritis with a history of patellofemoral pain syndrome is dismissed.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder that is related to service or a service-connected disability. His pseudofolliculitis barbae has been rated as noncompensable under the criteria for dermatophytosis.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, which was evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7813, does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent since January 3, 2011.