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

The veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is denied because he does not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring these benefits.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right foot or need for aid and attendance/housebound status.

The veteran's claim for secondary service connection for periodontal disease is granted. His claims for increased evaluations of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are also granted, with ratings of 30 percent and 20 percent respectively.

The Board found that the veteran's tinea manus, diagnosed as atopic dermatitis, is manifested by intermittent episodes of exudation and itching over an exposed area but not by extensive lesions or marked disfigurement. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea manus was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and for a higher rating for his atopic dermatitis. The veteran was granted a noncompensable disability rating for atopic dermatitis prior to September 19, 1997, and a compensable (10%) rating thereafter.

The Board has determined that new evidence submitted since the April 1988 denial does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of service connection for tinea pedis, cruris and manus with onychomycosis of torn fingernails and poison oak of the crotch as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's previous claim was denied due to lack of association between his skin conditions and AO exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for acne vulgaris, service connection for anal fistula, and reopening of a claim for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not show that the veteran had current disabilities or that they were related to his military service.

The veteran's onychomycosis of the feet and hands, tinea cruris of the groin and tinea pedis is granted a 30 percent rating. The issue of increased rating for residuals of right brachial artery injury remains pending.

The Board has granted the veteran a 50 percent disability rating for atopic dermatitis, which is the highest available under the applicable VA rating criteria. The veteran's claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, low back disability, fungus of the left big toenail, folliculitis of both inner thighs, and hypertension. The veteran is not entitled to any compensation for these conditions.

The veteran's skin disorder of the face, consisting of pseudofolliculitis barbae and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, is rated at 30% under Diagnostic Code 7806. The RO has been instructed to schedule a VA dermatological examination to determine if a higher rating (50%) is warranted based on the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the claim is well-grounded and granted service connection for chronic bilateral venous stasis, cellulitis, and dermatitis claimed as due to frostbite or cold injury during service.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as his combined disability rating did not meet the percentage requirements for a permanent and total disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for eczema, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by wartime service and could not be presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue and chest pain as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness are well grounded. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left elbow tendonitis, hand dermatitis, and headaches. The RO assigned noncompensable ratings initially but later increased them to 10% and 30%, respectively.

The Board finds in favor of the veteran on all issues regarding service connection for various conditions, granting them based on direct service connection due to evidence showing a pre-existing condition during active duty or an increase in severity during service.

The veteran's skin condition is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his original claim. The issue regarding an earlier effective date for the clothing allowance was not addressed as it has been granted in full.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is well grounded. The VA has provided a medical opinion establishing the plausibility of a nexus between his diagnosed hearing loss and his alleged exposure to acoustic trauma in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, or endometriosis.