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

The Board has determined that the veteran's dermatitis of both feet does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected tinea versicolor is well-grounded. The RO must obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination to determine the extent and severity of the appellant's skin disabilities, including any relationship between aquagenic pruritus and tinea versicolor.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his case.

The veteran's tinea cruris was found to have its onset in service and is granted service connection. The claim for headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and syncopal episodes is not well-grounded as there are no objective indicators of an undiagnosed illness. Service connection for neck pain is also granted due to a diagnosed condition.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of anxiety disorder with PTSD and traumatic arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy were denied. The claim for service connection for dermatitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's folliculitis, currently rated at 10 percent, does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on its symptoms and manifestations.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's right knee disorder and found no plausible service connection for his skin disorders claimed as residuals of Agent Orange exposure.,There is no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, or nexus to Agent Orange exposure for tinea versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, and actinic keratosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have well-grounded claims for service connection for hypertension and residuals of left hip strain. The claim for atopic dermatitis is granted as it was incurred during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and acne, but denied the claim for ligament damage of the left ankle. The veteran's acne is rated at 10% from August 4, 1998, to present, while his left shoulder disorder remains at 0%. His left ankle condition continues to be rated at 0%.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury and skin rash, including tinea versicolor, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash, non-specific gastritis, and headaches as due to undiagnosed illness are not well grounded. His claims for direct service connection for ear condition, prostate nodule, and actinic keratoses are also not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss of the right ear, and chloracne. The decision found that the veteran did not meet the burden to establish a well-grounded claim for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a skin disorder, diagnosed as vitiligo and secondary to drug hypersensitivity resulting from VA medical treatment, has been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, neurodermatitis, and external hemorrhoids. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is deferred until the rating for hemorrhoids is resolved.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, squamous cell carcinoma of the left true vocal cord, and tinea versicolor are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records from Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center and other providers.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for residuals of conjunctivitis, trigeminal neuralgia, right knee disability and tinea corporis. The appeal did not involve service connection issues.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current acne vulgaris and diabetes mellitus to service or any incident of service, including alleged exposure to Agent Orange. The claims were denied as there was insufficient evidence to establish a connection between these conditions and active duty.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the duodenal ulcer claim. The other claims were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is not well grounded.,The RO denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae in November 1993, finding that the evidence did not show permanent aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The veteran did not appeal this decision.

The veteran's memory loss and attention problems, skin disorders, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, fatigue, and joint pain are all found to be related to an undiagnosed illness during his Gulf War service.