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

The VA determined that the veteran's acne cystica of the face and back does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, based on the current severity of his condition.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, tinea, vitiligo with dermatitis, and thrombocytopenia purpura has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fractured left fifth toe, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA psychiatric examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is considered to have been incurred in service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition of the feet, which was previously denied in April 1988. The additional medical records provided since then are considered significant enough to warrant reopening the case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the shoulders and cervical spine, skin rashes (eczema), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The conditions were not found to be present in service or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for markedly disfiguring scars due to cystic acne of the face, and separately assigned a 10 percent rating for painful and tender scars due to cystic acne of the face.

The Board denied service connection for skin disease including tinea versicolor and squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil, both claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's skin condition of the feet and COPD are both found to be related to his active military service.

The Board found that the appellant's disabilities did not render her helpless or so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another, nor were they substantial enough to confine her to her home. Therefore, she is not entitled to special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The VA determined that the veteran's acne vulgaris, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher rating based on its current manifestations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for psoriasis and epididymitis, finding that there were no periods of time during which the conditions warranted a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disability, manifested by acne and folliculitis, is as least as likely as not due to exposure to herbicides in service. Therefore, service connection for this condition was granted.

The veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied the DIC claims.

The Board found that the veteran's skin rash, diagnosed as a skin rash and tinea pedis and/or tinea versicolor, was incurred during military service. The left knee disorder is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder claimed as acne of the face, forehead and other areas of the body, secondary to herbicide exposure. The veteran's low back injury with degenerative disc disease at L4-S1 was not rated higher than 40 percent before November 20, 2001 or 60 percent after that date. The veteran's brain trauma residuals were also not rated higher than 10 percent.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating of tinea cruris and pedis, which was granted by the Board.

The Board found that the discontinuance of vocational rehabilitation benefits was not proper, but denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting her claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne due to new and material evidence submitted since the May 1997 denial. The issue of whether exposure to Agent Orange in service caused or aggravated chloracne will be addressed separately.