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

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis, but denied the veteran's claims for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (to include as due to an undiagnosed illness), and post-traumatic stress disorder. The effective date of service connection for dermatitis is set at April 7, 1997.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea pedis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea versicolor does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for pes planus and pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has found service connection for Eustachian tube disorder of the right ear, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and an undiagnosed illness manifested by an inability to concentrate. The appellant's current hearing loss is not considered a disability under VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for PTSD and psoriasis, finding no credible supporting evidence of stressors or a link between current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cystic acne residuals with persistent itching and findings consistent with eczema and intertrigo are due to disease or injury which was incurred in his military service.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae with sebaceous cyst of the neck, finding that the condition is productive of marked disfigurement.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned the appropriate disability ratings based on the severity of his service-connected conditions, but did not grant any additional benefits.

The veteran's death in March 1997 was due to sudden cardiac arrest. The service-connected conditions (inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with unilateral lobectomy of the right upper lobe and neurodermatitis) did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The veteran had two service-connected conditions: post-operative residuals of anal fissure rated at 60% disabling, and psuedofolliculitis barbae rated at 10%.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and for entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability. The claim of clear and unmistakable error in the July 1976 rating decision regarding dishydrotic eczema was also denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for foot fungus (tinea pedis).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected left ear hearing loss, psoriasis, and other disabilities. The veteran was not granted service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea pedis is being remanded due to the need for a VA skin examination during a flare-up and the need to obtain treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicides during service and could not establish a well-grounded claim for service connection based on presumed exposure. The veteran's skin and eye conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne as a result of exposure to Agent Orange is well-grounded and has been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis abscedens et suffodiens warrants an increased evaluation to 80 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7800.