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

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

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a skin condition, including urticaria and dermatitis with swelling, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides is well grounded. The claim for service connection for hand tremor is also well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cystic acne, loss of the left kidney, and sterility due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam as not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for cellulitis and stasis dermatitis is denied as it does not meet the criteria of a well-grounded claim.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them. The claim for dental disability was also denied as it is only for treatment purposes, not compensation.

The Board denied a retroactive compensable rating for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp.,The Board denied reopening a claim for service connection for alopecia with history of skin puncture grafts.,The Board denied a compensable rating for seborrheic dermatitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid dysfunction and dermatitis are not well grounded. The claim of shortness of breath as due to an undiagnosed illness was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for left patellofemoral chondromalacia with medial patellar plica, gastrointestinal disorder due to an undiagnosed illness, and skin rash (tinea pedis) are well grounded. The lumbar spine disorder claim is also considered well grounded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as his claims were not well-grounded.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent for TMJ syndrome with headaches effective October 25, 1996. The appellant's allergic rhinitis was rated at 10 percent prior to October 7, 1996 and 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted the initial 10 percent rating assigned for a skin disorder affecting the veteran's crotch and groin areas, finding that this rating is appropriate based on the clinical findings provided during VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and PTSD, finding that his claim was not well-grounded due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to herbicide exposure or any other presumptive basis.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's left shoulder disability, hypertension, and folliculitis barbae. The veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), fibromyalgia, dermatitis and anemia are well-grounded. The conditions are presumed due to service in the Gulf War theater of operations.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and assigned a 30 percent disability rating for tinea pedis. The issue of increased evaluation for tinea pedis remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his mental unsoundness leading to suicide.

The veteran is not eligible for fee-basis outpatient medical care due to the availability of necessary treatment at a nearby VA clinic, and his private physician's ability to treat him does not meet the criteria for eligibility.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and granted it. The veteran's skin condition is not service-connected due to lack of evidence, and his peripheral neuropathy is also not service-connected. The low back disability remains at a 40% evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury and an increased rating for right shoulder impingement. The non-specific dermatitis of the hands remains at a 10% disability rating.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation under Chapter 31 was denied because he does not have a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, and the preponderance of evidence shows that his conditions do not meet the criteria for a serious employment handicap.