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

The Board has granted an increased rating for acne vulgaris to 10 percent effective July 16, 1997. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a fungal disorder, but denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The effective date remains February 10, 1986.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis of the toenails is currently evaluated as a 10 percent disability, based on symptoms such as scaling and maceration over extensive areas of the feet.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to exposure to herbicides are denied as they are not well-grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain, including arthritis in the left ankle, and inferred service connection for asteatotic eczema of the lower legs based on evidence from service records. The appellant is entitled to a minimum compensable rating for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his dermatophytosis (tinea pedis and tinea cruris) with calluses, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU was also addressed but is pending as there has been no substantive appeal filed.

The veteran's tinea pedis and tinea manus are currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling. The Board denied an increased evaluation for these conditions.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the veteran was not precluded from doing sedentary work.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema of both feet, and denied service connection for post-concussion syndrome due to lack of well-grounded evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for primary and secondary service connection for his skin disorder, as well as a claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain. The decision also noted that the veteran's plantar calluses of both feet are caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected skin disorder (Generalized dermatitis), chronic bronchitis, and pilonidal cyst. The effective date is not specified as it was a direct grant of benefits without reopening an old claim.

The VA determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current skin disorder to his military service or exposure to herbicides, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is needed, including determining the nature of the veteran's cattle farming operation and obtaining additional evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased evaluations for coronary artery disease with hypertension and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine will be addressed separately.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, skin symptoms, and liver symptoms as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness due to lack of medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a bilateral hip condition, a bilateral knee condition, and a hand disability. The tinea pedis claim was granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for skin disorder, including fungal rash, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis, is not well-grounded. The claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is well-grounded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and conducting a field examination to assess the veteran's daily activities and community status.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (chronic dermatitis and depression) prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.