Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected eczema, which was currently rated at 10 percent, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the former or revised VA rating criteria. The condition is characterized by intermittent episodes of itchy blistering on exposed areas of the hands and feet.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The RO also did not address the veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne, finding that it is a result of exposure to Agent Orange during the veteran's period of service in Vietnam.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is now remanded back to the RO for additional consideration.

The veteran's deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to January 12, 1998 and increased to 20 percent between January 12, 1998 and February 21, 2002. After February 20, 2002, the condition was rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the claim, including review of new criteria for rating skin disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and providing proper notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The veteran's claims will be evaluated under both old and new rating criteria for skin disabilities and hearing impairment.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne, multiple sclerosis, and seizure disorder claimed as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance as there was no evidence showing that his service-connected eczema caused irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder due to phosphate chemical exposure during his active duty in Korea. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic skin condition during service and concluded that any current skin disorders are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, skin disorders, an undiagnosed illness, gout, muscle tension headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus. The reasons were that these conditions are known diseases or diagnostic entities and not due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne due to exposure to herbicides. However, the Board found no evidence of a current skin disorder other than chloracne that is related to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service-connected tinea corporis and related conditions, including a VA dermatological examination.

The Board found no competent evidence to support the veteran's claims of VA prescribed medication causing or aggravating his impotence disorder and skin disorders. As a result, these claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for higher evaluations for service-connected acne dermatitis of the buttocks and plantar warts of the left foot, as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable or increased evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for nummular eczema and gout, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support higher evaluations under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of frostbite of the feet are service-connected, with some symptoms and problems in the lower extremities being due to peripheral arterial disease unrelated to cold injury to the feet.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and an increased evaluation for neurodermatitis of the groin. The veteran's pes planus is considered congenital in nature and not incurred or aggravated by active service, while his neurodermatitis of the groin was found to be productive of constant itching but no more than 30 percent disabling.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the appellant's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with diminished disk space, effective from July 1, 1996. The initial disability ratings for duodenal ulcer disease, left knee chondromalacia patella, and right knee chondromalacia patella remain at 10 percent each.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and compliance with VCAA requirements.