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

The Board denied the veteran's appeal regarding severance of service connection for tinea versicolor and autoimmune hepatitis with cirrhosis, finding that the original decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The RO had severed these conditions from service connection based on a lack of evidence showing they were incurred during active duty training.

The veteran's service-connected dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on persistent itching and extensive lesions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as his current diagnoses not being linked to a verified in-service stressor or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back injury, tinnitus, sinusitis, skin disease, head injury, and psychiatric disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The veteran's skin disorder, including solar keratosis and tinea pedis with nail involvement, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. Service connection for a bilateral leg disorder, arteriosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of the legs, was also denied. The veteran's skull fracture residuals were granted an increased rating to 10 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is not service connected as it does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis.,His skin, pain, and stomach symptoms are due to known diagnoses.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of sensation in the lower extremities, ankylosing spondylitis, cataract of the right eye, psoriasis, general fatigue, and fatty tumors, all presumed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran died of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied service connection for seborrheic dermatitis of the chest and denied an increased rating for tinea manus and tinea pedis, both initially assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective from December 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's use of prescribed medication for his service-connected skin conditions caused irreparable damage to his outergarments, warranting an annual clothing allowance.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, frostbite of the feet, and Raynaud's phenomenon were denied. His claim for an effective date earlier than January 12, 1998, for the frostbite residuals was also denied. The TDIU claim is pending.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the assignment of a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorders, including residuals of bilateral foot rash and chronic dermatitis with onychomycosis of both feet, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and gastrointestinal issues, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicides or other environmental factors in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea versicolor and duodenal ulcer disease, finding that the current evaluations were appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, prostate disorder due to agent orange exposure, and residuals of a skin disorder including chloracne, skin cancer, and acne. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam or due to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for eczematoid dermatitis and bilateral weak feet, finding that the current evaluations of 30% and 10%, respectively, are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acneform skin condition is related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicides, leading to a grant of service connection.