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

The veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for acne vulgaris with facial scarring was denied, and his special monthly compensation claim based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection are not well grounded for all of his claimed conditions. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any of these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims of service connection for atopic eczema and intertrigo, and chest pain are denied as his current conditions do not have a link to his military service.

The veteran's disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder and COPD, are rated at the minimum levels allowed by law. The RO found that his alcohol abuse was due to willful misconduct and thus not compensable.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and increased evaluations for post-traumatic stress disorder. The veteran's preexisting hearing loss was not aggravated during military service, and the evaluations in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder were denied as there was no increase in severity.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that they are not well grounded and thus do not meet the criteria for compensation under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected psoriasis, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for contact dermatitis of the right arm, folliculitis of the face, and prostatitis are not well-grounded as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung condition and labored breathing, diarrhea, rash of the upper body, and nervous condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for tinea versicolor and upheld the initial 60 percent rating for asthma. The right eye condition remains at a noncompensable level.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, acne, and post-operative residuals of right inguinal hernia. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that additional compensation benefits for the veteran's children should have been effective earlier than June 1, 1996. The decision granted the veteran's claim for his son and partially granted it for his daughters.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well grounded. However, due to insufficient evidence of a verified in-service stressor and lack of medical nexus between current symptoms and service, the claims for chronic sinus disorder, chronic kidney disorder, and skin disorder are denied.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as his psoriasis, to his period of active service. Therefore, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability and acne vulgaris.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected fungus infection and furunculitis warrant a 30 percent evaluation, with no compensable rating for scarring.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current skin conditions to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder due to mustard gas exposure is not well-grounded because there was no medical evidence linking his diagnosed or claimed conditions with his alleged inservice exposure to mustard gas.

The Board has determined that the veteran's eczema/atopic dermatitis of the hands does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it is currently evaluated at 10 percent. The disability involves mild exfoliation and slight post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on the distal two-thirds of the right index finger.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection have been granted. The specific conditions are psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, depression, and geographic tongue.