Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2001

The veteran's skin disorder, dyshidrotic eczema, has been rated at 10 percent since 1968. The RO should request the veteran to identify all medical care providers who may have relevant treatment records not already associated with the claims file and obtain any necessary release. They should also obtain from the SSA the records pertinent to the appellant's award of Social Security disability benefits as well as the medical records relied upon concerning that determination. A VA dermatologic examination is needed to determine the current extent of the service-connected skin disorder, described as dyshidrotic eczema, involving various areas of the body.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT) and determined that it is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during military service. The rating for chronic dermatitis remains unchanged.

The veteran's skin condition (tinea corporis) is currently rated at 10 percent, and his hypertension remains at a 10 percent rating. The appeal for an increased rating for hypertension has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for certain conditions due to an undiagnosed illness, including cervical strain, migraine headaches, periodontal disease (bleeding gums), respiratory condition, memory loss, problems with bowel movements, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is denied for other conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, tinea cruris, and warts on his right knee. The conditions preexisted service or were not shown to have increased in severity during service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder pain and upper back pain have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned in each case. The claim for noncompensable tinea pedis remains denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation on account of loss of use of the right foot due to his service-connected conditions, as he can still walk for up to 10-15 minutes without assistance and there are no reported trophic or circulatory changes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's non-service connected disabilities necessitate regular aid and attendance, allowing for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting his assertions and no new or material evidence having been presented.

The veteran's psoriasis is productive of constant itching, warranting a higher initial rating from 10% to 30%. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence supports this increase.

The Board denied all service connection claims as there was no medical evidence supporting the presence or causation of the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran does not have chloracne and his currently manifested acne vulgaris was not related to active service, including any exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for a skin rash claimed as a residual of exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the veteran's substantive appeals were not timely filed with respect to his claims of CUE in a 1992 rating decision and for an increased evaluation for psoriasis. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction over these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his PTSD, papulopustular acne (claimed as chloracne), bilateral hearing loss, and subluxation of the temporomandibular joints with internal derangement of the right jaw joint were denied. The claim for a corneal abrasion of the left eye is referred to the RO.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected psoriasis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a dermatology examination.

The VA has denied an initial rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent for acne vulgaris with tinea versicolor, finding that the symptoms do not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected tinea pedis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of carbon monoxide poisoning is being remanded due to a lack of direct evidence linking his current symptoms to his inservice exposure. The VA will attempt to obtain private treatment records and arrange for an examination to determine if any diagnosed disabilities are related to the veteran's inservice exposure.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for the appellant's claimed conditions, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a grant of service connection.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a 60 percent evaluation is warranted for the lumbosacral spine disability, which represents the highest schedular rating available.