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

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for increased ratings and effective date issues related to onychomycosis, bilateral feet, and contact dermatitis. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these matters as the appeal has been withdrawn.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for tinea cruris, effective April 15, 2014. The Veteran's use of topical corticosteroids was found to be 'constant or near constant systemic therapy' during the past 12-month period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA skin examination and obtaining pertinent records. The claim will be adjudicated in light of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's psoriasis is rated at a maximum of 60 percent, which meets the criteria for an increased rating. The other skin conditions are not separately evaluated as they are related to his primary condition (psoriatic arthritis).

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for dyshidrotic eczema with herpes simplex II and onychomycosis was granted, resulting in a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his vesicular eczema of the feet was denied as there is no evidence that it affected more than 5% of his total body or exposed areas, and he did not require systemic therapy.

The Veteran's service connected skin conditions are found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy with neurogenic claudication of the bilateral lower extremities have resulted in a TDIU as of June 22, 2015. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected pseudo folliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's allergic dermatitis/urticaria affected less than 20 percent of the entire body and exposed areas, did not require systemic therapy or result in scarring. The condition was considered non-debilitating.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis involves less than 5 percent of the entire body or less than 5 percent of exposed areas affected, and he has not received any treatment for his disorder for many years. Therefore, a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is not productive of affected areas of at least 5 percent the entire body or exposed areas, required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, disfigurement, pain, or loss of skin covering. Therefore, a compensable evaluation for this condition is denied.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to radiation, tactical herbicides, environmental hazards, mustard gas, or lewisite during service. The Veteran's current eye and skin disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's skin disability, characterized as simple folliculitis, was rated at 10 percent prior to July 15, 2015 and increased to 10 percent beginning July 15, 2015. The current rating is less than what the Veteran requested.

The Veteran's eczema affected more than 5 percent but less than 20 percent of the exposed area and less than 5 percent of the total body, requiring near-constant or constant use of topical therapy without systemic therapy such as corticosteroids. The Board finds that this aligns with a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's skin disability, including discoid lupus erythematosus and folliculitis of the facial area, facial scars, and acne, has been rated at a maximum 60 percent since October 13, 2011. The claim for increased ratings is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for cherry hemangioma of the right upper back and eczematous dermatitis of the sole of the right and left foot is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck, back, or left knee disability etiologically related to his active duty service.,There is also no evidence of diabetes mellitus, type II in the record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service and denied his claims for service connection.,Similarly, the Board determined there is no evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders to his time in service and denied his claim.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a skin disorder characterized by atrophic skin lesions, and an initial rating of 30 percent is assigned from March 17, 2009 to June 2, 2010.,For the period since June 3, 2010, the Veteran's onychomycosis/toenail tinea unguium has been rated as 10 percent disabling.