Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected folliculitis warrants a 30 percent disability rating prior to March 4, 2014.

The Board has determined that the service-connected atopic dermatitis contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic sinus cancer. The Board finds that the appellant is credible in her report about the prolonged steroid treatment for atopic dermatitis.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae has been rated at 10 percent since October 30, 2008. The symptoms have included skin pain and irritation most characteristically manifested by papules and inflammation affecting the left cheek and upper neck, or approximately 5% of affected areas, managed by topical cream and less than constant use of oral medication. This does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing records, including SSA and VA vocational rehabilitation records. The Veteran's right knee disorder case will also be remanded for a supplemental opinion from the December 2009 examiner.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis or a skin disorder (vitiligo and/or knots). His liver cysts are currently diagnosed, but they are not considered to be related to his active military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor has been rated as 10 percent disabling, effective July 7, 1999. The Board finds that the current rating is appropriate given the evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinea cruris is found to be service-connected. The right ear hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including spongiotic dermatitis and tinea pedis of the feet, were not first manifested during active service. The Board found no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic dermatitis is remanded due to the implementation of a new presumption of herbicide exposure for Korean DMZ veterans. The TDIU issue remains pending and will be addressed in a supplemental statement of the case if appealed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, bilateral upper and lower neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity eczema/sebopsoriasis.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for tinea versicolor was denied, as the evidence did not show that 20 to 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas were affected by the condition. The Board also found no basis for granting extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's dermatitis was granted service connection as a preexisting condition that did not worsen during his final period of active duty. The cervical spine disability was denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae affected less than five percent of his entire body and exposed areas, requiring no treatment. The disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the issues related to service connection for various conditions, including tinea, bilateral hand arthritis, shoulder bursitis, elbow bursitis, wrist degenerative arthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, lumbar spondylosis, right knee osteoarthritis, and depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, a lung disorder, and a skin disorder. The evidence received since the October 2005 decision is new but not material to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's skin condition, specifically Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), affecting less than 40% of the face and neck, has been rated at a 60 percent evaluation since May 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date claim is also denied as the original rating decision was final.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent for his tinea pedis (also shown as dermatophytosis) with extension to legs and keratotic lesions and dystrophic nails, or an initial compensable evaluation for tinea versicolor.