Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for psoriasis and also denied his request for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a left herniorrhaphy, including the surgical scar. The evidence received since the August 1961 denial did not relate the current skin condition or hernia to military service.

The veteran is granted TDIU prior to October 31, 2006 due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU as of October 31, 2006, has been rendered moot.

The veteran's tinea pedis warrants an extraschedular disability rating of 50 percent, and his individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities warrants a total disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable ratings for hemorrhoids and tinea pedis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for eczema or acne, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his poor balance caused by decreased eyesight and impaired depth perception, as well as weakness and numbness in his extremities. The Board finds that he is unable to function without supervision and assistance.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension, psoriasis, and osteopenia have been granted initial disability ratings. The veteran's DVT claim is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, chloracne, unspecified skin disability, and organic brain disorder due to a lack of evidence indicating an intent to file an informal claim prior to February 15, 1996.

The veteran's fungal dermatitis and ichthyosis vulgaris are currently controlled by topical medication, affecting less than 5% of the total body surface area. The Board finds that these conditions do not meet or approximate the requirements for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for external and internal hemorrhoids and tinea pedis with onychomycosis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's right shoulder disorder is rated at 10% due to arthritis and painful motion. Service connection for facial acne, bipolar disorder (claimed as major depression), and gastritis are all granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for nummular eczema, finding that her condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the former or revised applicable diagnostic codes. The veteran was assigned an initial 10 percent rating effective June 18, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 20, 2004 for his TDIU award. The effective date was fixed based on when he filed his informal claim for TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected dorsal and lumbar scoliosis, postoperative condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent. The combined disability evaluation is 40 percent, which corresponds to the current 40 percent schedular evaluation. As such, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as it does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a skin disorder (claimed as pseudofolliculitis barbae) due to lack of evidence showing the disorders were incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected dermatitis of both feet does not warrant a compensable rating as it does not cover 5 percent or more of the entire body or exposed areas, nor has it required more than topical therapy during the past 12 months.

The Board has granted higher evaluations for the appellant's service-connected chronic photodermatitis and residuals of a cyst behind his right ear, effective from June 10, 2005, and August 7, 2000 respectively. The current appeal is limited to these two conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of excised melanoma and psoriasis due to presumed Agent Orange exposure, but did not address the claim for bone spurs of the bilateral feet. The veteran's low back disability was granted an increased rating.

The Board found that chloracne did not originate in service and is not related to any incident of service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.