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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches and service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and folliculitis. The issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome have been resolved as granted by the RO.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acne keloidis nuchae, currently evaluated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for folliculitis barbae, currently rated at 10 percent disabling, was granted by the RO. However, the effective date of this decision is not specified.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The claims are being remanded to allow for a review and consideration of all evidence, including any new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case. The RO must ensure that all VCAA notification and development action has been taken.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be incurred or aggravated by service, including due to undiagnosed illness from Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, upper respiratory disorders, tonsillitis, hemorrhoids, low back injury, frostbite, ingrown toenails, numbness of hands, fracture of left thumb, right shoulder dislocation, left elbow disability, arthritis of the back and shoulders, hyperopia and presbyopia, chloracne (claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure), or acute/subacute peripheral neuropathy (claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a procedural issue, and the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability remains pending.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with acne vulgaris effective from March 31, 1999. The claim for seborrheic dermatitis was also granted and the veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, including chloracne, as due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish that the veteran had chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne within one year after his last exposure to herbicides during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cystic acne, a skin condition, is due to disease or injury incurred in service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, an increased rating for bilateral tinea pedis, and a compensable evaluation under 38 C.F.R. � 3.324 based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's acne vulgaris is at least as likely as not related to his service, including possible exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for this condition was granted. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, finding that it is etiologically related to his military service and specifically to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board found no evidence of chronic tinea pedis during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection as there is no link between her current condition and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for defective hearing in the right ear, arthritis of the knees, arthritis of the neck (cervical spine), residuals of left shoulder injury with degenerative arthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and nummular eczema.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, tinea versicolor, soft tissue sarcoma, porphyria cutanea, and peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's neurodermatitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent, as it is not productive of constant exudation or itching, and does not affect more than 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas.

The Board has granted service connection for atopic dermatitis, finding that it had its onset in service. The claim for an undiagnosed illness of the skin is denied as there are no objective indications of chronic disability resulting from an illness or combination of illnesses manifested by signs or symptoms such as those listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired skin disorder, specifically tinea pedis, was incurred during his service in Vietnam. The VA physician concluded that this condition is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to high humidity and heat in the environment of Vietnam.

The veteran's disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral otitis externa, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes.