Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinea pedis with bilateral onychomycosis of the feet was remanded to obtain additional evidence and a more detailed examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied, and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for acne vulgaris, but denied claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, but the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was remanded.

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for bilateral tinea pedis and headaches, granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, and assigned a 70 percent rating for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The appeal is remanded for additional development and a VA medical opinion to address the etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected eczema and pseudofolliculitis barbae are rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria. The claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sinusitis and pharyngitis were denied as there was no current medical diagnosis of these conditions.

The veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to herbicides, and an earlier effective date of October 18, 1983, for the grant of service connection for sickle cell disease.

The veteran's current tinea cruris is etiologically related to his active service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial evaluation of seborrhea dermatitis, and the appeal was dismissed.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for various disabilities were denied, as the evidence did not support ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Board remands the claims for service connection to the RO for further development and readjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but restored a 30 percent rating for atopic dermatitis from September 1, 2006, to September 29, 2006. The reduction of the rating was ultimately upheld as of September 30, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne as there is no credible evidence that the condition became manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year of the veteran's last day of service in Vietnam.

The veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which are currently assigned a combined rating of 90 percent.