Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as it involves less than 5 percent of his entire body and exposed areas, with no systemic therapy required.

The Board has denied service connection for tendonitis of the right hand, tendonitis of the left hand, and bilateral tinea pedis (Athlete's foot).

The Veteran's malaria claim is denied. The Board finds reasonable doubt in the bilateral tinea pedis (jungle rot) claim and grants service connection. Service connection for residuals of basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is granted. Service connection for actinic keratosis and sebaceous cysts, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is denied. The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, status post arthroscopic surgery, and lumbar spine condition are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's psoriasis of the penis has been rated as zero percent disabling prior to December 22, 2010 and 60 percent thereafter. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more current VA skin examination to assess the severity of his service-connected dermatitis of the face disability and for VCAA notice regarding this issue. The Veteran has also requested an earlier effective date for other issues, which are not yet ready for Board adjudication.

The Veteran's PFB has been rated at 10 percent since the rating period on appeal, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea corporis of the scalp and body is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected senile purpura, tinea unguium, and folliculitis affects more than 5% but less than 20% of the entire body or exposed areas. The VA examiner found that topical therapy was required during the past 12-month period, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7806.

The Veteran's dermatitis/eczema disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective prior to June 16, 2014. The right shoulder limitation of motion issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's PFB does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of disfigurement or significant scarring. The headaches are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected folliculitis affects less than 20 percent of his body and exposed areas, requiring topical but not systemic treatment six weeks or more a year. However, it is not constant and does not result in disfigurement.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 11, 2013.,For his left knee subluxation, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for separate ratings for left knee flexion and extension prior to October 28, 2015.

The Veteran's eczema, tinea pedis and tinea corporis have been rated as non-compensably disabling due to the nature of the skin conditions not meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The scar from mole removal on the left foot has also been rated as non-compensably disabling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability other than chloracne and manifested by acne, cysts, and scars from cyst removal was denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chloracne was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for acne vulgaris is being remanded due to the need for additional examination. His service connection claim for depression has been reopened and granted, but this matter is no longer in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, skin disability, and right leg disability are not related to service.,Specifically, the VA examiner found no link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for porphyria cutanea tarda due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The claim for dermatitis, which is not presumptively associated with Agent Orange exposure, remains in equipoise and thus cannot be granted on a direct basis.

The Veteran's acneform rash does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU, and his employment with the Albany DMV is considered substantially gainful employment rather than marginal employment in a protected environment. Therefore, he does not qualify for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected psoriasis and posttraumatic stress disorder have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.