Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and his current psychiatric disorder is a depressive disorder, not otherwise specified. The Board also determined there was no link between the diagnosis of PTSD and any recognized stressor in service. For psoriasis, the Board noted that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder did not affect him emotionally in a significant manner due to lack of complaints or disturbances in behavior or functioning.

The Board has determined that the appellant's skin disorder, including tinea pedis, was incurred during service and cellulitis of the feet is proximately due to or the result of a skin disorder. The claim for osteomyelitis of the left foot is granted as secondary to a skin disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis and renal failure (also claimed as dizziness, vomiting, and headaches) and tinea versicolor. The issues of muscle and joint pain, insomnia, digestive disorder, and headaches were also addressed but not decided.

The veteran's skin rash, including fungal conditions and non-fungal dermatitis, was incurred in service. Other issues were not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, and there is no evidence of a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure or hypertension. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral eye disorder, and residuals of a fracture of the right little finger were denied. The Board found that service connection was established for chondromalacia of the patella, left knee.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, vision problems, skin disabilities, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The evidence does not support these claims as they are either not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions of the Persian Gulf War Veterans' Act.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorder of the scalp did not result from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The condition was noted prior to his entry into service and there was no evidence of a permanent worsening during his brief period of military service.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent dyshydrotic eczema and denied a compensable evaluation for numbness of the right thigh due to neuropathy of the lateral cutaneous nerve.

The veteran's service records show he had symptoms of pseudofolliculitis barbae and sinusitis/rhinitis during his military service. The VA examinations confirmed these conditions, leading to a grant of service connection for both.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral knees (claimed as back and bilateral knee disability), and psoriasis. The RO previously denied these claims in January 1998 without a timely appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to exposure to herbicides or military service.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed in service as dermatitis or dermatophytosis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis, finding that there is no nexus between his current skin disability and his in-service dermatitis.

The veteran's low back strain, cervical spine disability, and headaches are all granted service connection. The skin condition (tinea cruris) is also granted as a direct result of service.

The Board dismissed the claim for an increased evaluation for perirectal abscess. The other issues were previously decided by the Court and are not subject to review on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his dermatitis and laceration scar of the left lower eyelid, finding that the current evaluations were appropriate based on the severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 1, 1994 for the grant of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the earliest date ascertained that the veteran became totally disabled was January 1, 1994.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's claimed conditions to his service or exposure to herbicides, and thus denied the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for asteatotic eczema of the trunk and arms, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.