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

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and polyarthralgia, as well as his request for an increased rating for tinea versicolor. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not permit training to begin within a reasonable period; thus, achievement of a vocational goal is infeasible at this time.

The VA determined that the appellant is not unemployable due to his disabilities, as he has a combined evaluation of 30 percent for nonservice-connected conditions and does not meet the disability percentage requirements for pension purposes.

The veteran's skin condition is attributed to a known diagnosis and not due to an undiagnosed illness.,Hair loss is presumed due to an undiagnosed illness, but the claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection under presumptive provisions.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for atopic dermatitis, finding no new and material evidence. The moving party's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error was denied.

The veteran's appeal for payment of unauthorized medical expenses resulting from private medical care received on July 8, 1996 was denied as the required criteria were not met.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disability, finding that the new evidence submitted since the April 1994 rating decision was not new and material.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral otitis media, bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, and dermatophytosis with tinea cruris due to the veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cystic acne, finding that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on its severity or appearance.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic skin disorder (including psoriasis and fungus infection) and rheumatoid/psoriatic arthritis, claiming these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a rash (dermatitis) and a seizure disorder, as well as an increased evaluation for bipolar affective disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of medical nexus or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, chloracne, and PTSD due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened based on new evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disability compensation is subject to recoupment of a special separation benefit in the amount of $58,164.68, with Federal income tax withholding not subject to recoupment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an extension of his eligibility period for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38.

The Board granted service connection for neurodermatitis of the hands and assigned a 50% rating. Service connection was also granted for chronic bilateral eye disability, but not for chest pain.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for service-connected tinea versicolor, as there are no findings of exfoliation, exudation or itching involving an exposed surface or extensive area.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a skin disorder (including chloracne) due to exposure to Agent Orange, a stomach condition, and a nervous condition. However, the claim of service connection for chronic back strain and chronic fatigue remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's facial wounds and skin condition are service-connected, with residuals of a facial wound being granted and a skin disorder being considered as directly related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection are not well grounded and have been denied.

The veteran's service-connected chronic atopic eczema has been clinically demonstrated to be systemic with involvement of several areas of the body, including the hands, ankles and arms, with bleeding indicative of skin ulceration, and healed excoriations. As such, the Board finds that the evidence supports an increased, 50 percent, evaluation for eczema.