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

The veteran's service-connected folliculitis is currently rated at 10 percent and does not result in any current impairment, so an increased rating is denied.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher rating for his acne vulgaris and folliculitis due to the current symptoms not meeting the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted service connection for genitourinary conditions, gastrointestinal issues, and eczema. The veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of the conditions during active service.

The veteran's skin conditions, including dermatographia and tinea pedis, are presumed service-connected. His mouth sores, eye irritation, weight gain, IBS, respiratory issues, hearing impairment, and tinnitus are also presumed service-connected due to undiagnosed illness in Southwest Asia. Other conditions are not service-connected.

The Board granted service connection for eczema and status post evulsions of the right and left great toes, with a noncompensable rating assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability to include chloracne, finding that there was no evidence of such condition during service or within one year following separation. The other skin disorders were not found to be related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorder and bilateral leg disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for psoriasis, effective from August 30, 2002. The veteran's skin condition is now rated as the maximum allowable under the new criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disability of acne is service-connected due to exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for eczema of the hand, migraine headaches, and lumbosacral strain were denied. The skin disorder affects only his hands.

The RO denied increased ratings for low back disability, right knee surgery, and contact dermatitis of the hands, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent, and his pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 10 percent. These ratings are granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence linking the esophageal cancer to his military service or to his service-connected atopic dermatitis.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for psoriasis, finding that the veteran's psoriasis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of evaluating acne vulgaris was not addressed as it is separate from the main claim.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal because his notice of disagreement (NOD) was not filed within one year of the October 2000 rating decision, which found that he had headaches rated noncompensable since October 1997 and asthenic reaction with dermatitis also rated noncompensable. The NOD was received on April 5, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for seborrheic dermatitis and chronic headaches, finding that the veteran's character of discharge from his first period of service was dishonorable, which bars compensation benefits. The claim for chronic headaches is also denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability within one year following separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for tinea cruris and periodontal disease, finding no objective indications of chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's skin disorder, which includes scalp folliculitis, acne keloidalis nuchae, and hidradenitis suppurativa, has been rated at 60 percent since August 30, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PFB and TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's skin disorder is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the current evidence.