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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and Hypertension, finding no evidence of current conditions related to his military service. The claim for an effective date prior to August 7, 1996 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and mood incongruent psychotic features was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and did not address the higher rating claim for asthma with bronchitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, chronic sinusitis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and bilateral knee disorder are all service-connected. A compensable evaluation of 10% is granted for macular degeneration and retinal tear of the left eye.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, stress fractures of both legs, and skin disorders. The RO found that the assigned ratings were appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board finds that the veteran likely has current left hip disability manifested by pain and bony changes as a residual of an injury incurred during his period of service. The Board also finds it is at least as likely as not that he has current dyshidrotic eczema of the hands that developed during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected eczema of the arms and legs, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis with barbae, finding that the condition has been shown to involve exfoliation, exudation, and itching, with periods of remission.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for adult acne, which is considered secondary to herbicide agent exposure. The RO must provide adequate reasons and bases for all of its determinations, citing all governing legal authority and precedent, and addressing all issues and concerns that are noted in this REMAND.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dermatitis of the hands, currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's recurrent nasal ulcer, acne, and hair loss due to undiagnosed illness during service in the Gulf War theater.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability and granted a 10% rating for dermatitis, finding no residuals of the in-service fracture and noting that the veteran's current skin condition is subject to periodic exacerbation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for myasthenia gravis, ulcer disorder, autoimmune disorder, colitis, dermatitis (claimed as hand lesions), and chloracne was denied. The RO granted service connection for PTSD with a rating of 10 percent from February 18, 1994 to May 23, 1999, and increased the rating to 50 percent effective June 5, 1996.

The VA denied increased disability ratings for calluses of the right and left little toes, as well as tinea pedis (athlete's foot). The medical evidence did not show any exceptional or unusual disability picture.,The veteran's service-connected conditions were evaluated based on their current manifestations.

The Board denied an increased rating for systolic heart murmur and granted service connection for a skin disorder (claimed as chloracne), but the latter was reopened based on new evidence. The decision is mixed, with some issues being granted and others not.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, as well as his request for an earlier effective date. The issues of new and material evidence were also addressed.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for acne vulgaris and assigned an effective date of December 29, 1982.

The Board found that the veteran's psoriasis did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it was not productive of constant exudation or itching, extensive lesions, or marked disfigurement. The issue of an extra-schedular rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the March 1997 VA dermatologic examination and other specific issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, arthralgia of multiple joints with fatigue and intermittent nausea and diarrhea, and tinnitus. The effective dates for these benefits were not granted as requested.

The veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest due to end stage cardiomyopathy, which is service-connected. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death or resulted in debilitating effects.