Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for back scarring and assigned a 30 percent disability rating effective June 8, 2009. The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for chloracne is denied.

The Veteran's skin disability, tinea pedis, is currently rated as noncompensable and his bilateral pes planus is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for tinea pedis or an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was withdrawn. The claim for a compensable rating for eczema prior to February 22, 2012 is denied as the condition did not cover more than 5% of her entire body or exposed areas and no systemic therapy was required.

The Veteran's service-connected dyshidrotic eczema affects less than 5 percent of the entire body or less than 5 percent of exposed areas, and no more than topical therapy has been required. Therefore, a noncompensable rating is granted.

The Veteran's skin disorder, thyroid cancer, and lymph node cancer are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred in service due to frequent shaving during active duty.,Corneal abrasion of the right eye does not meet criteria for service connection. No current disability related to this condition has been demonstrated.,Chronic left epididymitis, a residual of an in-service vasectomy, is not shown and no etiological link was found between the condition and service.,Right hand condition is not shown during or within one year of service and no current disability related to service-connected conditions has been demonstrated. No evidence supports a right hand condition being incurred in service.,Left foot sprain is not shown during or within one year of service and no current left foot disability, including bunions or plantar warts, has been demonstrated.,Diabetes mellitus was not shown during or within one year of service. No evidence supports a link between diabetes mellitus and service-connected hypertension.,Bunion of the left foot is not shown during or within one year of service and no current disability related to service-connected conditions has been demonstrated. No evidence supports a bunion condition being incurred in service.,Plantar warts of the left foot are not shown during or within one year of service and no current disability related to service-connected conditions has been demonstrated. No evidence supports plantar warts being incurred in service.,Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not shown during or within one year of service and no etiological link was found between the condition and service.

The Veteran's skin disorder, tinea versicolor, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for psoriasis, claimed as a skin disorder. The Veteran's current diagnosis of psoriasis is considered to be related to his in-service diagnosis of tinea versicolor, which he asserts began during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including L5-S1 bulging disc and myositis, seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis, depressive disorder, right S1 radiculopathy, left S1 radiculopathy, and small hiatal hernia and gastritis, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering the newly submitted evidence. The claims of increased rating for service-connected dyshydrotic eczema and TDIU will be re-adjudicated after this.

The Veteran's service-connected HIV with recurrent folliculitis is currently rated at 30 percent effective September 20, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor requires ongoing use of prescribed ointment that causes irreparable damage to his outer garments, which meets the criteria for an annual clothing allowance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The issues of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and pseudofolliculitis barbae will be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, tinea versicolor, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unemployable due to his medical conditions. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined 90% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic dermatitis of the hands and feet is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for periodontal disease, tinea pedis, left eye blemish, and onychomycosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin condition, including dermatitis of bilateral legs, is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinea pedis has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, with the issue being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for eczema, which covers more than 40% of the entire body. He also received a compensable rating for hemorrhoids due to their large size and frequent recurrence.

The Veteran's current penile dermatitis is found to have begun during active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The thoracolumbar spine disorder claim remains pending as remanded.