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

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected tinea pedis and pseudofolliculitis barbae are well-grounded, and thus plausible. However, further development is needed as there is insufficient evidence to properly rate these conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral tinea infections, and declined to reopen a claim for service connection for a heart disorder. The veteran's attorney entered into an agreement in November 1999 but the requirements for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits have not been met.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and separate evaluations for his service-connected chronic tinea of both feet and hands, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis with onychomycosis, tinea versicolor, and tinea cruris due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have been granted. The veteran is now entitled to service connection for headaches, depression, pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, and a gastrointestinal disorder secondary to medication.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's service-connected conditions to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including chloracne, as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish that the veteran had chloracne or any other recognized condition related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chloracne is well-grounded and has been granted.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a finding of service-connected disability contributing to his death.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's anxiety disorder and neurodermatitis, which represents the 'major degree of disability' or the 'dominant (more disabling)' aspect of his service-connected condition.

The veteran is granted a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to service-connected conditions affecting multiple joints, including the right hip and left hip. The special home adaptation grant claim is denied as it would be precluded by the benefits already awarded under section 2101(a).

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as the clinical findings are not sufficiently comprehensive to evaluate the disorders under the current rating criteria.

The Board denied an increased rating for seborrheic dermatitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psoriasis was first manifested during his period of active duty for training and is therefore service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including chloracne and hidradenitis suppurativa, claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the disorders and the veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for mild seborrheic dermatitis of the chest and nonspecific dermatitis of the feet, as well as his claim for secondary service connection for aching joints, weakness and fatigue to malaria. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for psoriasis, which was previously denied in December 1981.

The veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and left wrist sprain have been granted compensable evaluations. Service connection for neck strain has also been established, but the other issues remain unresolved.