Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back injury residual disability and a skin disability (to include chloracne) have been denied. The claim for service connection for a skin disability was previously denied in June 2004, but new evidence received since then is considered material to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's psoriasis is currently rated at 60 percent for the period since July 26, 2010. The RO has granted an initial 60 percent rating for the period prior to that date.

The Veteran's initial ratings for dermatitis and left elbow olecranon are denied as the conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nephrolithiasis has been reopened and granted.,A 100 percent rating for PTSD is assigned, effective May 30, 2007.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has been rated at a 30 percent disability rating since October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since August 17, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran has experienced very frequent and prolonged migraine headaches that have been completely prostrating and likely productive of severe economic inadaptability throughout the entire appellate period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment prior to August 6, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of the TDIU claim.

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

The Veteran's eczema is currently rated at 60 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 7806. The disability has not otherwise been manifested by disfigurement of the head, face or neck.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for his service-connected dermatitis of the back and right forearm has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's urticaria and eczema were found to be related to service, while his PTSD was not rated higher than 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face and neck did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board found that his left eye condition with peripheral vision loss is more likely due to diabetes mellitus, which is non-service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis was not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to May 21, 2012. From May 21, 2012 through July 17, 2013, the condition did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. Effective July 18, 2013, the Veteran's dermatitis was not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, claimed as pseudofolliculitis barbae, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of Persian Gulf War service under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for a video-conference hearing and further development. The first issue is whether new evidence has been received to reopen his claim of service connection for lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow. The second issue is seeking an increased evaluation for dermatitis in both hands.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with examinations for his bilateral pes planus and bilateral foot dermatitis. The appeal is currently in remanded status.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disability (arthritis) and a skin disability, including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The examiner found no current chronic disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is not shown to cover at least 5% of the entire body or exposed areas, and does not require intermittent systemic treatment such as corticosteroids. Therefore, his claim for an initial compensable rating has been denied.