Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2003

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of tinea versicolor due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that the veteran incurred this condition in service, granting service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and nonspecific dermatitis. The case is now remanded for additional medical examinations and consideration.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 30, 1998 for a 30 percent rating for tinea pedis and found secondary service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The veteran's hemorrhoids were rated at 10 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's tinea pedis, claimed as athlete's foot, was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stones, stomach disorder, skin disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral hand disorder. The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD as a manifestation of exhaustion during his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for tinnitus and psoriasis due to new evidence and regulations.

The veteran's bilateral foot condition, which includes tinea pedis and chronic lichen simplex of the scrotum, is currently rated at 30 percent. The RO has granted an increased evaluation for his bilateral pes planus with postoperative residuals of osteotomies to a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the appellant's request for an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae, and referred a secondary service connection issue related to skin rashes.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness, diarrhea and constipation, and eczema of the hands as due to an undiagnosed illness. The veteran's claims are now in a 'granted' disposition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and to reopen his service connection claims. The veteran was not granted any new or material evidence in relation to his gastrointestinal disorder, eczema, or atypical anxiety with hysteric components. His seizure disorder rating remained unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are the result of noise exposure in service. The veteran's claims for eczema and psychoneurosis were also granted.

The Board denied the claim for a higher rating for acne cystica of the face and back.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected eczematous dermatitis of the hands and feet is currently asymptomatic, leading to a denial of his claim for an increased disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting medical examinations, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain will also be addressed.