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

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, including chloracne, due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not show current chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne and medical opinions were against a link between the appellant's current conditions and his alleged exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding that his current skin disorders are not related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial compensable evaluations were denied. The RO found that the veteran's knee disabilities did not meet criteria for higher ratings, tinea versicolor was currently asymptomatic, and pseudofolliculitis barbae met criteria for a compensable evaluation from February 4, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the failure to schedule a hearing before the Board. The case will be reviewed again after this development.

The Board found that the veteran's pension is based on multiple service-connected disabilities, which combine for a rating of 100 percent. The need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the criteria outlined in VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, right and left wrist median nerve compression, fibromyalgia, and folliculitis were denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis with secondary onychomycosis and a skin rash over her entire body, finding no evidence of onset during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left-sided costochondritis and denied the claims for higher ratings for hypertension and tinea versicolor.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from May 3, 1995 and found no earlier effective date is warranted. The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus continues to be rated at 30 percent since February 28, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral tinea pedis originated during service and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for increased ratings of chloroacne and residuals of a missile injury, leaving the issues dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have psoriasis that is attributable to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a skin disorder, chloracne, as a residual of Agent Orange exposure during the veteran's active military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a chronic acquired dermatological disorder, including chloracne, and did not link it to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic prostatitis, arthritis of the left knee, left arm dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and contact dermatitis. The denial is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board found that the veteran's gum disease and missing teeth were not incurred in service, but granted service connection for teeth numbered 2, 15, and 19. The claim for a gum disease and any other missing teeth was denied. For his skin condition of the hands, the Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support an increased evaluation beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that his condition was essentially asymptomatic and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the appellant has been diagnosed to have lipomas of the breast and stomach, as well as plantar fibromatosis, tinea pedis, and eczema of the feet. The criteria for service connection due to undiagnosed illness during Persian Gulf service were not met.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for tinea corporis effective May 16, 2000. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.