Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae disability was rated at 10% from January 29, 2003 through August 2, 2007 and increased to 30% effective August 3, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for psoriasis and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for psoriatic arthritis of the right and left sacroiliac joints.

The Veteran's skin disorder, consisting of pseudofolliculitis barbae with superficial facial scarring, has been rated at 30 percent since the date his claim was received. The current rating is appropriate as it reflects that the condition constitutes less than 5% of the total exposed skin area and does not require systemic therapy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability that would warrant an increased rating, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling since January 21, 2009. The other conditions have not met the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's skin disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 10, 2008 and increased to 30 percent as of that date. The appeal is denied for both periods.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with bunions and calluses were initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2008, and increased to 30 percent beginning that date. The low back strain was initially rated at 20 percent and remained at that level. The chronic cystitis required a separate 10 percent rating. Uterine fibroids were rated as 10 percent effective from February 25, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disabilities did not have their onset in service or due to herbicide exposure, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinea of the palms and feet was not present in service or until many years after, and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin, including his exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, a right leg disorder, and sling palsy of the right hand as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Erie County Medical Center and Buffalo General Hospital. The issues of higher initial evaluations for hemorrhoids, service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, and entitlement to TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he does not have the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of asteatotic eczema, which was dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The appeal is remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's claim is for an increased rating for a bilateral foot condition, currently rated at 10 percent. The case has been remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and new evidence.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp affects less than 40 percent of exposed areas and does not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy. The disability is rated at 30%.