Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The veteran is seeking service connection for his skin disorders, which he claims are related to his military service. The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and a skin disorder identified as stucco keratosis and folliculitis, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after service. The claim for PTSD was also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptoms post-service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his skin condition and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his active service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) warrants a 10 percent rating from August 30, 2002. The condition was rated under Diagnostic Code 7800 for disfigurement of the head, face, or neck due to its manifestation of abnormal skin texture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, Tinea Versicolor, and Tinea Cruris are all service-connected. The decision is based on direct evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant had a preexisting left knee disorder and was not shown to have any new injuries or diseases in ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. He also did not meet the criteria for service connection due to his psychiatric condition, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, or pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The VA determined that the veteran's atopic dermatitis does not warrant a higher rating as it affects less than 20% of his body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy is required.

The veteran had a pending TDIU claim at the time of his death, which was granted. The cause of death is being addressed separately.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain medical records and for further consideration of his claims.

The Board found that the evidence was at least in approximate balance regarding whether subjective complaints and objective evidence showed tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea manuum manifested by constant itching throughout the appeal period. Less than 40 percent of the entire body and less than 40 percent of exposed areas were affected; near constant systemic therapy was not required; neither skin disorder had exceptional repugnancy or significant systemic or nervous manifestations.

The veteran's athlete's foot (claimed as trench foot) is rated at 10 percent effective September 12, 2004.

The veteran's chloracne affects 40 percent of his total body surface area and 10 percent of the exposed body surface on the back of his neck. The VA determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for his condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless and in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for such aid.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an irregular heart beat and tinea folliculitis of the face and head were denied. The claim for increase in rating for tinnitus was not remanded, so it remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as it did not involve at least 20 percent of the entire body or exposed areas, or require systemic therapy. The condition is currently rated 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's service-connected skin disability was productive of complaints of itchy skin prior to December 6, 2007. However, the evidence did not show that his condition covered at least 5 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, or required intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids.,Since December 6, 2007, the veteran's skin disability was productive of complaints of itchy skin and objectively showed no coverage of at least 20 percent of his entire body or exposed areas. The evidence did not show that he required systemic therapy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it affects less than 20% of his entire body and less than 40% of exposed areas. The condition is rated under Diagnostic Code 7806 for dermatitis or eczema.

The Board denied service connection for a skin rash, chronic fatigue syndrome, and nausea as they were not shown to be related to service or Persian Gulf War service.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed condition for the claimed conditions.