Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, eczematous dermatitis at staged ratings of 10 and 30 percent, malaria is not compensable, and PTSD warrants a TDIU effective November 12, 2009.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin disability, diagnosed as nummular dermatitis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate her claim.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 23, 2004, for service connection for depression and TDIU were denied as the earliest possible effective date provided by law has already been assigned. The claim for Dependent's Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35 was also denied due to lack of legal merit or entitlement.

The Veteran's undiagnosed illness involving neurological signs and symptoms of the bilateral lower extremities is presumed to be related to service. His skin condition is not considered a presumptive illness.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion and considering all evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 15, 2010, for his service-connected xerosis, dyshidrotic eczema. The appeal was addressed to a higher disability rating and not about the timing of the award.

The Veteran's xerosis with eczema was rated at 30 percent prior to January 19, 2010 and granted a 60 percent rating effective from that date.

The Board finds that the criteria for restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for neck folliculitis with associated neck deformation from May 1, 2008, have not been met. The Veteran's posterior neck folliculitis with associated neck deformation does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the feet, specifically tinea pedis, was found to be incurred in service and granted service connection. The issue regarding hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied entitlement to an initial compensable rating for PFB and denied service connection for a skin condition of the groin. The Veteran's PFB was not present during VA examinations, and he did not have any manifestations of PFB on examination. Therefore, his claim for PFB is denied as there is no evidence of current disability. For the groin issue, the Board found that the Veteran did not incur a skin condition of the groin during or as a result of service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for psoriasis vulgaris is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a skin examination.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was rated at 10 percent prior to December 8, 2010. From December 8, 2010 to May 17, 2012, the condition affected more than 40% of his body and warranted a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor and bilateral tinea pedis have been rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's onychomycosis has also been rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the current VA examination is inadequate and additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's skin disability is related to his service. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent disability rating for tinea pedis of both feet, tinea cruris, and bilateral onychomycosis of the toenails is denied as the earliest possible effective date has been granted at the date of receipt of the informal claim for increase on September 8, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea and any current skin disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development before a final decision can be made. The case has been REMANDED for further action, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected acne.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to individual unemployability for further development, including a VA examination and an opinion regarding the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination report and failure to address Veteran's reports of foot problems during service.