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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, stasis dermatitis, obesity, and chronic venous insufficiency of the bilateral lower extremities are etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including chloracne, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a new VA examination to assess his folliculitis without a beard. The case will be readjudicated after the additional evidence is considered.

The Veteran's psoriasis was rated at 60 percent effective September 1, 2011. Prior to that date, the condition warranted a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The left leg varicose veins are currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective June 13, 2008.,Claims to reopen for mitral valve prolapse, headaches, generalized joint pain, right leg varicose veins, bipolar disorder, PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder and PTSD have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's tinea pedis has not been shown to be compensably disabling throughout the appeal period, as it affects less than five percent of his entire body and requires only topical treatments.

The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected psuedofolliculitis. The RO has remanded the case to obtain a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation for status post right fibula fracture, ankle, beyond 10 percent; entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids; and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral tinea unguium of the feet. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that he was unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to May 22, 2006.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher ratings for his left leg venous stasis with stasis dermatitis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent from April 15, 2004, to September 26, 2007.

The Veteran's dermatitis is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7806. The Board finds that her condition does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected tinea dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disorders, diagnosed as chronic folliculitis and eczematous dermatitis, are not related to his military service. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Veteran's skin condition of the left hand is not manifested by objective evidence that meets the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code, and thus his claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation has been denied.

The Veteran's skin disability, characterized as chronic staph infection of the scalp, arms, and thighs (MRSA) with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation of the right arm, was rated at 10 percent effective March 1, 2007. The benefit sought for an increased rating remains on appeal.

The Veteran's pityrosporum folliculitis has not met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp was not clinically identifiable during the period from February 1, 2005 to January 31, 2008. Therefore, no compensable disability rating could be assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right foot and knee conditions.

The Veteran's contact dermatitis was not shown to be incurred in service, is not related to his period of active service, and is not caused by herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for contact dermatitis as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicides is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that these conditions did not have their clinical onset in service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board also found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology post-service.