Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acne vulgaris is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, which include psoriasis and postoperative melanoma. The combined rating for these conditions is 70 percent.

The Board granted the veteran a 30 percent evaluation for his skin disability effective June 28, 1996. The veteran's claim was based on evidence of a compensable level of skin disability that had been present since April 18, 1996.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, defective vision, dermatitis, and arthritis of the cervical spine and shoulders. The RO found that the veteran's defective vision was not related to his active service due to it being a congenital or developmental abnormality.

The veteran's service-connected dermatophytosis of the feet is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The issue regarding an earlier effective date for left knee and foot disorders remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and new evidence was submitted to reopen his claim of a sleep disorder, but it was determined that the new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim. The RO also denied an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. The condition has been characterized by constant itching and intermittent exfoliation caused by scratching, with occasional burning or bleeding from shaving.

The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected skin disease, classified as dermatitis of the left knee and crural area. The RO has not provided a VA examination since over a decade ago to assess the current severity of the condition. Additionally, there is no indication that any other skin disorder may be related to the service-connected skin disease.

The VA has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for her postoperative residuals of hallux valgus of the left great toe, hallux valgus of the right great toe, and chronic dermatitis of the scalp and buttocks. The current evaluations are already at their highest possible level.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, low back pain, hip pain, and depression. Asthma was not found to be related to active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a right ankle condition, allergies, and a neck disorder. The claim for tinea versicolor was also denied, as no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the previous denial of service connection for a foot disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and CUE in a prior rating decision, finding that there was no clear error in not granting a higher disability rating. The RO granted service connection for discoid lupus erythematosus with dermatitis of the face and forearms and hair loss of the scalp, effective June 17, 2001.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of eczema was denied, and his request for a total rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were granted. He was awarded a 10 percent rating for scars of the right forearm, a 10 percent rating for tinea corporis, and his claim for separate compensable evaluation for multiple noncompensable disabilities is resolved in his favor.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and for tinea infections (jungle rot) of the face, feet, and groin. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was granted for PTSD based on credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.