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

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. However, it was determined that chloracne was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinea cruris did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it did not involve extensive areas or require systemic therapy.

The Board denied service connection for dyshydrotic eczema, dermatophytosis, COPD, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including chloracne, skin cancer, tinea pedis, and chronic irritant dermatitis, are not related to his active service or Agent Orange exposure. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for seborrheic eczema, effective from the date of the initial claim in March 1994.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and an effective date earlier than April 20, 1995 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for neurodermatitis and eczema were denied. The November 1972 RO rating decision reducing the evaluation from 10 to zero percent was upheld as correct.

The veteran's service connection claims for neuropathy and cystic and comedonal acne were granted. The claim for a post-operative right inguinal hernia was denied, but the veteran received a compensable rating for his status-post right orchiectomy.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's seborrheic dermatitis, finding that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation as there were no objective signs of severe itching or extensive lesions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and dermatitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for eczematous dermatitis and polyarthritis, finding that there was no direct or proximate causation of these conditions due to his service-connected thyroid cancer. The VA also found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of arthritis related to his service-connected thyroid cancer.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that new evidence supports reopening these previously denied claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for epididymitis/orchitis and dermatitis, finding that his groin/testicular pain is likely due to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea versicolor is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of reopening a claim of entitlement to service connection for epididymitis and vasitis was also granted due to new evidence received since the April 1969 rating decision.

The Board denied increased ratings for fungus infection and scarring of the head, face, and neck. The veteran's fungus infection was rated as 10 percent due to recurrent nature and extensive area affected, while his scarring was rated as 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chloracne or acneform disease and peripheral neuropathy are related to his presumed exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warrants a 20 percent rating, as it does not meet criteria for higher ratings. The tinea versicolor and residuals of pilonidal and sebaceous cysts are currently rated at noncompensable.

The veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and seasonal allergies were denied. The issues of increased evaluations for PTSD, bilateral plantar warts, permanence of TDIU, and reopening previously denied claims for malaria and fungus infection are not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for residuals of cold injury to the upper extremities is denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology thereafter. The Board grants service connection for residuals of cold injury to the lower extremities, but notes that not all symptoms are attributable to this condition. Service connection for dermatitis, to include skin disorder of allergic nature, is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition including chloracne and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA treatment, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service or additional disability resulting from such treatment.