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

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 30 percent since September 13, 2013. The claim for service connection for low back disability was reopened and granted. No new evidence was provided to support the claims of sinusitis or bilateral foot fungus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinea pedis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the representative has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, and increased ratings for mixed headaches, hyperhidrosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease with sciatica (both lower extremities), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of her appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the claim for an earlier effective date for his chloracne rating was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting a higher rating than 20% for the lumbar spine disability or any earlier effective date for the chloracne.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current visual impairment is attributed to myopia with astigmatism, which are not diseases or disabilities for which VA compensation may be awarded. Therefore, service connection for her bilateral myopia is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral varicose veins with stasis dermatitis is granted, while the hearing loss rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that there was no current disability of otitis externa, endometriosis with hysterectomy, or residuals of a fracture of the left malleolus during the appeal period. For anemia, the rating assigned is 10 percent before April 24, 2008, and higher than 10 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for the Veteran's dermatitis prior to September 8, 2010. From September 8, 2010, a 30 percent rating is granted for the service-connected dermatitis of the legs.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the condition did not manifest during active service.,Service connection for jungle rot of feet was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The RO also continued the noncompensable disability rating for tinea versicolor and increased the disability rating for genital herpes from 10 percent to 60 percent, effective October 27, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA clinician with an opinion on the impact of the Veteran's service-connected eczema on his ability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for acne and awarded a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, but further development is needed to determine if additional VA compensation is warranted for her left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin and fungal disorder of the feet did not manifest during service or within one year after separation, and there is no evidence linking it to a disease or injury in service. The condition first appeared over 30 years after service and was not related to any event or disease in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are too numerous and severe to identify a feasible vocational goal, leading to the denial of his VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's contact dermatitis is rated at 60 percent since July 12, 2007. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it affects less than 40% of his entire body or exposed areas and he receives no systemic therapy.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing pseudofolliculitis barbae did not increase in severity or worsen beyond its natural progression during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's Chloracne, claimed as a skin rash, was not shown to be related to his service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's asthma, hepatitis B, anal fissure, and eczema are all found to be service-connected. The sinus disorder and conjunctivitis claims are denied.