Reopen 0% Rating Or File New Claim?

[Christopher]

I'm not sure if I should reopen my 0% rated folliculitis (They gave it a 7899-7806 diagnostic code) for increase, or file a new claim for dermatitis/excema (code 7806).

Brief Summary: Initially claimed skin rashes, They came and went on various parts of my body during active duty which was medically documented.

When the C&P exam took place The Dermatology examiner noted that forehead and temple rashes were in remission and that both buttocks had rashes that were less than 5% of the body. I was awarded service connection at the 0 percentage rate.

That was around 8 years ago..the rashes kept resurfacing on various parts of my body since then.

More recently I have been experiencing more widespread breakouts that have covered large areas..i.e whole leg, whole trunk etc..

I have been treated for these more severe reoccurrences at the VA with topical corticosteroid creams and steroid injections. I also have had my wife take pictures.

The skin condition has been diagnosed as various different things..folliculitis, excema, dermatitis and psoriasis!

I am leaning towards reopening the 0% and requesting an increase in rating due to increased severity.

What approach should I take? Thanks for any and all input!

[cowgirl]

Why not? Did the va or another doc recognize 'the increase in symptoms?' and affect on your lifestyle? Once I had hives and couldnt get dressed for a couple of days, took alot of benadryl (husband didnt mind!). ok, I'm not sc for a skin condition, but I think you have a fair chance if the medical diagnosis and 'increased severity' matches the va's regulations. Medical opinions and proof validates.

Best to ya,

cg

I'm not sure if I should reopen my 0% rated folliculitis (They gave it a 7899-7806 diagnostic code) for increase, or file a new claim for dermatitis/excema (code 7806).

Brief Summary: Initially claimed skin rashes, They came and went on various parts of my body during active duty which was medically documented.

When the C&P exam took place The Dermatology examiner noted that forehead and temple rashes were in remission and that both buttocks had rashes that were less than 5% of the body. I was awarded service connection at the 0 percentage rate.

That was around 8 years ago..the rashes kept resurfacing on various parts of my body since then.

More recently I have been experiencing more widespread breakouts that have covered large areas..i.e whole leg, whole trunk etc..

I have been treated for these more severe reoccurrences at the VA with topical corticosteroid creams and steroid injections. I also have had my wife take pictures.

The skin condition has been diagnosed as various different things..folliculitis, excema, dermatitis and psoriasis!

I am leaning towards reopening the 0% and requesting an increase in rating due to increased severity.

What approach should I take? Thanks for any and all input!

[carlie]

Christopher,

Being that you already had some SC granted, any claim you now make is a claim for increase.

I would check thru the DC's and see which DC would provide for a grant at a higher percentage than the zero %, with the Evidence at hand.

Pay attention to the criteria of the DC's, so no pyramiding is involved.

jmho,

carlie

[Christopher]

Thanks for the input,

I'm gonna go for the increase..if they say it's not folliculitis then I'll file a new claim for dermatitis/excema.

I mean to me it's all skin rashes..whatever they label it. We'll see.

[carlie]

Christopher,

Have you tried to get the DERM. doc to write you a nexus

or relate it to SMR's ? I would get that to file with the claim for

increase.

jmho,

carlie

[Christopher]

Carlie,

I thought over your suggestion. I have a good patient/doctor relationship with the Derm Doc. He actually has called me after I left a message with the clinics's front desk people and saw me that day. They were not gonna let me see him without another consultation request from my PCP..that would've taken way too long.

I really don't want to do anything that might potentially give him heartburn. For all I know he might gladly look over my SMRs and provide a Nexus opinion. Then again, he might give me crazy eyes and not want to be burdened with non-treatment issues.

I think I'll just let the claim process run its course and deal with the nexus issue at the C&P exam, if there is one requested.

If they already service connected me for skin problems..would they even require a nexus?

[carlie]

Christopher,

Sorry, my bad. I went back to the first post in this thread and saw the SC at zero again,

so NO you don't need a nexus.

I feel what you will need is something showing 5 % or more of coverage (not like the original less than 5 %) - OR CONSTANT ITCHING, or eruptions.

Here's a case that might be good for you to study, the regs in it show the criteria for

7806 from 1993 and prior then also after the criteris changed a bit.

Somewhere, there is an explanation for all Diagnostic Codes that end in 99 but I don't have the energy to find it right now. I hope someone else will post that so you have an understanding of all codes ending in 99.

If you can get the 10 % since your at 80 % now, I don't know if it will be benefit you much

but good to get what ever you are entitled to.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp05/files3/0514511.txt

Hope this helps a vet.

carlie