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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that he had been unemployable prior to December 5, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new provisions in the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other legal requirements.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis due to nicotine dependence and chronic bronchitis caused by tobacco use in service were denied. The veteran was granted service connection for chronic bronchitis secondary to heavy smoking after service, but not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, tuberculosis, COPD, skin disorders, hepatitis, defective vision, and a blood disorder secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected folliculitis and acne scarring of the face, neck, back, and chest was denied because he failed to report for a necessary VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent for his tinea pedis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, peripheral neuropathy, and sterility as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. The left inguinal hernia claim was granted with a 30% evaluation, but no compensable rating was assigned for ilioinguinal nerve entrapment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headache, duodenal ulcer, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and PTSD. The veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal within the required time limits.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for the veteran's skin disorder of the left foot, which is evaluated as dermatitis with oncychomycosis of the left great toenail. The evidence shows chronic and recurrent symptoms but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain of the upper extremities, seborrheic dermatitis, and GERD/hiatal hernia were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's parkinsonism was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for parkinsonism resulting from VA treatment with potassium permanganate was also denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 17, 1990 for the assignment of a 10 percent evaluation for tinea versicolor.

The Board denied an increased rating for left leg dermatitis, finding that the disability did not warrant a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a significant change in the law, specifically the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The appellant's claim for service connection for psoriasis and an increased rating for post-concussion headaches is currently under review.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to service, including his Persian Gulf War service. The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for subcutaneous lesions of the neck and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp and chest, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and granted entitlement to service connection for hypertension, but only up to a 60% rating from January 15, 1999. The claim for higher ratings for hypertensive heart disease remains pending.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of his appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected tinea pedis was denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an increased rating for fungal infection/tinea versicolor. The veteran's current symptoms are not shown to be related to his military service.