Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2000

The Board has restored the veteran's 30 percent disability rating for his service-connected hyperhidrosis of the hands, feet, elbows, knees, and forehead with recurrent tinea pedis and dyshydrotic eczema.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor and tinea cruris, as well as his claims for dental trauma, hearing loss, left eye disability, and back disability. The decision also noted that VA outpatient dental treatment was not provided due to a lack of evidence.

The VA has denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected tinea cruris, as it is not active and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increased disability evaluation for lumbosacral strain, status post laminectomy or tinea pedis. The combined effect of these conditions does not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis secondary to psoriasis is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly psoriatic arthritis. The case requires further development including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA rheumatologic examination by specialists who have not previously examined him.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure have been granted, but the specific rating has not yet been assigned.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of both knees and finds it well grounded. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct a VA examination, and readjudicate the issues.

The veteran's claim for service connection for allergies, including allergic rhinitis and tinea versicolor, is granted.,Service connection is also granted for the right knee disability (chondromalacia patella). However, a higher rating of more than zero percent is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shin splints, a low back disability, a left leg disability as secondary to a low back disability, eczema (skin disorder), a right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not submit competent evidence to show plausible claims for these conditions.

The Board has denied a rating higher than 10 percent for recurrent staph infections with atopic dermatitis, finding that the veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling. Service connection for memory loss, folliculitis, and bronchitis due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure is also granted.

The veteran's tinea unguium is rated noncompensable. The RO granted increased ratings for residuals of cold injury to both feet, with the right foot receiving a 20% rating and the left foot receiving a 30% rating effective January 12, 1998.

The August 6, 1981 rating decision was found to contain clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition (variously diagnosed as dermatitis and urticaria), left hand and arm injury, and tinea pedis were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is well grounded. However, his claim for a compensable rating for tinea cruris and pedis with onychomycosis remains denied as there are no more than slight exfoliation, exudation or itching on nonexposed surfaces or small areas such as the veteran's toes and heels.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of seborrheic dermatitis, and a 10 percent evaluation for his service-connected bilateral otitis externa. The skin condition is rated as direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory. The ear condition requires frequent and prolonged treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected peptic ulcer disease and macules of the face with macular depigmentation of the back, chest, and shoulders (residuals of tinea versicolor), finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's initial evaluations for tinea pedis with fungus of the toenails and right knee disability were denied as they did not reflect the extent of his disabilities.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, tinea of the feet and hands, and bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus were denied as they are not well-grounded. The claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and dermatitis, both claimed as residuals of Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not show current disabilities or establish a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a social and industrial survey and a VA dermatology examination.