Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating, prior to January 25, 2011, and in excess of 10 percent, on and after January 25, 2011, for service-connected eczema due to insufficient facts regarding the frequency of use of topical corticosteroid treatments.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinea pedis did not warrant a compensable rating as it only required topical antifungal medication and did not affect more than 5% of his body or exposed areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including eczema and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (skin cancer), is being remanded due to outstanding treatment records from Dr. P and Dr. H.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and chloracne are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective date, finding no evidence of a current disability in most cases or no causal link to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for various knee conditions, arthritis, and Bell's palsy. Additionally, the Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hammer toe, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, left ankle arthritis, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and hepatitis C. The appeal is being remanded to allow for a new hearing before a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran is granted service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) due to a diagnosed condition during active duty. Service connection for a separate skin rash of the head and face is not established as there was no chronic manifestation since separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of PTSD, right knee disability, and eczema for additional development. The Veteran must be provided with a statement of the case on these issues.

The Veteran's psoriasis is currently rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria, and no further increase in disability compensation is granted.

The Board has granted a 100 percent initial rating for depressive disorder NOS effective May 14, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected sinusitis and to determine if she has psoriasis that may be related to her military service.

The Veteran's current skin disorders, including a fungal infection and psoriasis, are as likely as not caused by his in-service herbicide exposure while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's onychomycosis does not warrant a compensable rating as it affects less than 5 percent of his exposed and total body area, and no systemic therapy is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic folliculitis began in service and has persisted since, warranting service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral pes planus is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PFB was granted, with the effective date not specified.

As of July 7, 2010, the Veteran's tinea versicolor affected less than 20% of his total body surface area and exposed areas. The condition did not require systemic treatment, thus a higher rating is not warranted under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including chloracne and acne, is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's skin cancer was not present until many years after service and is not related to service, including the in-service cold exposure. The onychomycosis of the feet is a residual of cold weather injury.,Service connection for onychomycosis has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability, manifested by blackheads and oiliness behind the ears and on the arms, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus type II was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the current level of disability warrants a higher rating.