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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a skin disorder, as well as his claim for right ear hearing loss. The RO granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but did not assign a compensable rating.

The veteran's skin disorder (eczema) and headaches were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's status post third degree burns of the right ankle and foot, secondary to a burn. The issue of entitlement to service connection for folliculitis was reopened based on new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of acneform lesions and rosacea, finding that no valid claim was filed within a year of his discharge from active service or prior to June 2, 1997.

The veteran is granted service connection for degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine and chloracne, with effective dates prior to April 1, 2000 and September 25, 2000 respectively. The veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected skin disability, tinea cruris and pedis, groin and feet.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne and assigned a noncompensable evaluation, which was later increased to 30 percent based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's appeals of the claims for increased ratings were dismissed as he withdrew his requests for these issues in September 2001.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on its current manifestations.

The Board denied service connection for acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy and chloracne as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, finding no clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected dermatitis, finding that the disability picture more closely approximates the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7806.

Service connection for residuals of an eye injury, skin disability of the feet (jungle rot), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to Agent Orange exposure was denied.,The veteran's service records do not show any evidence of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hepatitis C and a 10 percent rating for multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The veteran was currently rated at 30 percent for hepatitis C under Diagnostic Code 7345.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed skin disorders and bilateral knee disability are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 26, 1998, for the assignment of increased compensation for his service-connected eczema and folliculitis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal regarding the denial of service connection for multiple skin disorders was also denied.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected tinea pedis with infected nails and groin, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating due to ulceration, extensive exfoliation, crusting, systemic manifestations, and exceptionally repugnant skin condition.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis in January 1963, finding that the veteran's condition did not result from disease or injury incurred in service and there was no medical evidence linking his psoriasis to an incident of service.

The Board denied service connection for a pituitary adenoma and its associated symptoms, including headaches. However, the Board granted service connection for an undiagnosed skin disorder on the basis of undiagnosed illness during service in the Persian Gulf. The effective date for the 20% evaluation for left knee arthroscopy and anterior cruciate ligament repair was also granted.

The veteran's skin disorders of the feet and recurrent hives are presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness incurred in service. However, his numbness of hands and feet is also presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but there was no evidence linking this condition specifically to service.