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

The veteran's skin disorder, including multiple lipomas and tinea cruris, has been rated as a noncompensable rating for many years. The RO has now granted a 10 percent evaluation based on the current manifestations of his service-connected skin disorders.

The veteran is entitled to vocational rehabilitation training due to her service-connected disabilities and employment handicap.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Board has granted increased disability evaluations for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder and furunculosis (abscess), hidradenitis suppurative, and cystic acne. The total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for allergic dermatitis and sinusitis are not well grounded. As such, these claims have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a member of the Board at the RO. The veteran must take no further action unless otherwise notified.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder and tinea pedis (left foot) were not well grounded. The claim for initial compensable evaluations for nasal polyps and soft tissue mass of the right hand was also denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or functional impairment.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected skin disability, diagnosed as neurodermatitis, effective from March 1, 1996.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder, specifically chloracne, as secondary to Agent Orange exposure due to lack of evidence demonstrating the condition was present within one year of separation and no current diagnosis.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected tinea pedis and tinea cruris, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a recurrent skin disorder was denied due to lack of evidence. The issue of service connection based on exposure to herbicides remains unresolved as the veteran has not been diagnosed with any presumptive diseases.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 3, 1996 for service connection of chloracne. The decision stated that the earliest possible effective date is September 3, 1996 as it was the date the claim was received.

The veteran's eczematoid dermatitis is manifested by skin rashes involving an exposed surface and fairly extensive area, but there is no exudation or constant itching, extensive lesions or marked disfigurement. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected eczematoid dermatitis, which is more than the current 10 percent rating. The condition affects both hands and other areas of the body.

The veteran's service-connected right radius head fracture and skin disorder of the feet/toenails are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings warranted based on current evidence.,The VA has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition is not supported by the medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim and for an increased rating for acne rosacea, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim or warrant a higher disability evaluation.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied as the treatment was not for a medical emergency beyond June 28, 1994.

The Board denied the claim for chronic skin lesions other than folliculitis and jungle rot, but granted service connection for ischemic heart disease with myocardial infarction as secondary to PTSD. The effective date of the current 100% schedular rating for PTSD was established as February 24, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash, nasal irritation, joint and bone pain, and respiratory disorder are not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or undiagnosed illness.