Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the condition did not manifest during active service.,Service connection for jungle rot of feet was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The RO also continued the noncompensable disability rating for tinea versicolor and increased the disability rating for genital herpes from 10 percent to 60 percent, effective October 27, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA clinician with an opinion on the impact of the Veteran's service-connected eczema on his ability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for acne and awarded a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, but further development is needed to determine if additional VA compensation is warranted for her left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin and fungal disorder of the feet did not manifest during service or within one year after separation, and there is no evidence linking it to a disease or injury in service. The condition first appeared over 30 years after service and was not related to any event or disease in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are too numerous and severe to identify a feasible vocational goal, leading to the denial of his VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's contact dermatitis is rated at 60 percent since July 12, 2007. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it affects less than 40% of his entire body or exposed areas and he receives no systemic therapy.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing pseudofolliculitis barbae did not increase in severity or worsen beyond its natural progression during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's Chloracne, claimed as a skin rash, was not shown to be related to his service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's asthma, hepatitis B, anal fissure, and eczema are all found to be service-connected. The sinus disorder and conjunctivitis claims are denied.

The Board has received a statement from the Veteran requesting to withdraw his appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's eczema with rosacea is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted a non-compensable initial rating in August 2009, which was increased to 10 percent effective June 12, 2014. The Veteran's hypertension claim remains pending.

The Veteran's skin disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to September 21, 2012 and increased to 30 percent beginning September 21, 2012.

The Veteran's liver disability is denied, but he has a respiratory disability and skin disability that are found to be related to his active duty service. The Board gives the Veteran the benefit of the doubt in these cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chloracne of the arms, hypertension, a dry and scaly condition involving the feet, swelling in the legs, swollen hands, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim for basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) of the right eyelid.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA skin examination and additional development of his claims file. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema, onychomycosis, and tinea pedis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal the issues of service connection for tuberculosis and claims for higher ratings for left ankle and left eye disorders and for acne. The case is dismissed as to these matters.