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

The veteran's tinea pedis, a skin disorder of the feet, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the current evaluation does not accurately reflect the severity of his disability and denied an increased rating.

The veteran's allergic contact dermatitis and hepatitis were granted service connection. The right hand and wrist injury claim was denied, but the hypertension with chest pain and knee disabilities received initial ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with chondromalacia was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected dyshydrotic eczema is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of constant exudation or itching, extensive lesions, or marked disfigurement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected neurodermatitis with xerosis does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of ulceration, extensive exfoliation or crusting.

The veteran's PTSD, bilateral pes planus, tinea pedis, and bacterial endocarditis are all rated at their maximum possible evaluations.

The RO has granted an effective date of September 30, 1994 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The appellant's claims regarding initial ratings for his PTSD are pending and will be addressed in a future decision.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for tinea versicolor and pulmonary and mediastinal sarcoidosis, effective from May 5, 1960. The appellant's symptoms are currently rated as 10% disabling.

The veteran's headaches are not rated higher than 10 percent.,Other conditions, including muscle and joint pains, bleeding gums, rash, weight gain, and psychiatric disability, do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's claimed upper and lower back conditions or skin condition, and thus denied service connection for these claims. The claim for soft-tissue sarcoma was also denied as there is no medical evidence of such a condition.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates were denied. The RO continued the maximum schedular evaluation for bilateral pes planus with shortening of the left lower extremity, but did not grant an increase in rating for lumbosacral strain or vitiligo dermatitis.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded, as there was no competent medical evidence linking his claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and right leg disorder, finding no competent medical evidence of current disabilities. The claim for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure was granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied in 1984, and there was no pending claim at the time of his death. Therefore, accrued benefits are not granted.

The veteran's request for an increased rating for hidradenitis suppurativa and tinea pedis of both feet is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board at the RO.

The veteran's headaches and seborrheic dermatitis were found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating each, with no systemic or nervous manifestations warranting higher ratings. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chloracne is related to his service exposure to Agent Orange, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinea versicolor, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, are not well grounded. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected psuedofolliculitis barbae is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The most recent VA examination revealed some small, 1 to 2 millimeter papules on the left posterior neck and several active lesions in his beard area. This most nearly approximates a disability that has exfoliation, exudation or itching or an exposed surface. As such, an increased rating must be denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them.