Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination to assess her seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's chronic bilateral lower extremity dermatitis is rated at 60% prior to April 1, 2011, and 30% thereafter. His PTSD remains rated at 30%. The decision also addressed a TDIU claim.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis, effective from March 1, 2011.

The Veteran's tinea pedis did not affect at least 20 percent of the entire body or exposed areas and did not require systemic therapy for a total duration of six weeks or more, thus warranting a disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was granted. The evidence received since February 2009 addressed the unestablished fact of a current disability, which is new and material.

The Veteran's service-connected urinary incontinence, hypertension, and other conditions make her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea corporis of the left hand warrants a 60 percent rating since November 8, 2006, and from March 13, 2009 through June 12, 2009. The initial noncompensable (0%) rating was assigned for periods prior to that.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for folliculitis has been fully satisfied by a December 2016 rating decision, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe osteoarthritis in his knees and degenerative joint disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to dress, feed himself, or perform daily activities without significant assistance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's skin disability was granted an increased rating to 60 percent effective May 17, 2011. Prior to this date, he received a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new opinion on the etiology of his skin disorder. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD will also be remanded to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's facial skin condition, specifically acne keloidalis nuchae with pseudofolliculitis barbae, was rated at a noncompensable level prior to October 20, 2007. From October 20, 2007 to April 5, 2011, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating for this condition. Since April 5, 2011, no higher rating is granted.

Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's skin disability has been manifested by less than 5 percent of the entire body and exposed areas affected, and has not required intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 7800. The Board found that the condition meets the criteria for a 50% rating based on three characteristics of disfigurement: surface contour of scar elevated or depressed on palpation; skin hypo- or hyper-pigmented in an area exceeding six square inches (39 sq. cm.); and skin texture abnormal in an area exceeding six square inches (39 sq. cm.).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including a headache disorder and PTSD, was reopened. The Board found that new evidence supported the reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis was not manifest in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service. The Board finds the Veteran's current lower eczematous dermatitis did not manifest during his period of active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experienced a stressor related to his military service and developed PTSD as a result.