Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for genital herpes, eczema of the elbows and neck, and right toenail onychomycosis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected skin conditions.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including tinea cruris and tinea pedis, are service-connected. However, the VA examiner found no evidence of 'jungle rot' but diagnosed tinea pedis by history with symptoms on examination. The case is remanded for further development to determine if these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not cover at least 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, nor did systemic therapy require more than six weeks in the past year.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including psoriasis and eczema, are service-connected due to aggravation during service. His hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea manuum and onychomycosis of the right hand was increased to a 10% evaluation effective September 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, service connection for chloracne, and service connection for headaches were denied. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for seborrheic dermatitis since October 4, 2000. The claim for service connection for the cause of death was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of tinea versicolor, atopic dermatitis, or a sternum disability related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma, and entitlement to an increased evaluation for service-connected atopic eczema were also granted.

The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent initial rating for eczema with tinea pedis from August 1, 2005, to May 9, 2006. After that date, the evidence does not support an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective date were granted. He was assigned a 10 percent rating for dermatitis, effective February 28, 2003.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and arthritis of the bilateral knees, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim for chloracne. The Board also found that the current knee conditions were unrelated to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is manifested by superficial lesions that are painful and warrants a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic dermatitis of the hands, elbows, and feet is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the current evidence.