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

The Board has determined that a 30 percent rating for service-connected acne vulgaris is warranted effective from September 25, 1986. The veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation of his service-connected acne vulgaris will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and dermatological disabilities, including eczema, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris. The denial was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being remanded to the RO for specific actions, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are denied. The right knee condition is rated based on its current manifestations, while the skin disorder claim was not pursued due to a change in representation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of tinea versicolor due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that the veteran incurred this condition in service, granting service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for his perirectal abscess, pes planus, and contact dermatitis. The claim for residuals of frostbite of the right third finger remains pending.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 30, 1998 for a 30 percent rating for tinea pedis and found secondary service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The veteran's hemorrhoids were rated at 10 percent.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and nonspecific dermatitis. The case is now remanded for additional medical examinations and consideration.

The VA has determined that the veteran's tinea pedis, claimed as athlete's foot, was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stones, stomach disorder, skin disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral hand disorder. The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD as a manifestation of exhaustion during his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has denied the appellant's request for an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae, and referred a secondary service connection issue related to skin rashes.

The veteran's bilateral foot condition, which includes tinea pedis and chronic lichen simplex of the scrotum, is currently rated at 30 percent. The RO has granted an increased evaluation for his bilateral pes planus with postoperative residuals of osteotomies to a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness, diarrhea and constipation, and eczema of the hands as due to an undiagnosed illness. The veteran's claims are now in a 'granted' disposition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and to reopen his service connection claims. The veteran was not granted any new or material evidence in relation to his gastrointestinal disorder, eczema, or atypical anxiety with hysteric components. His seizure disorder rating remained unchanged.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for tinnitus and psoriasis due to new evidence and regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are the result of noise exposure in service. The veteran's claims for eczema and psychoneurosis were also granted.

The Board denied the claim for a higher rating for acne cystica of the face and back.

The Board granted service connection for sciatica and found that the veteran currently suffers from sciatica. The issue of an increased rating for hypertension was not addressed as it is subject to a separate remand.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected eczematous dermatitis of the hands and feet is currently asymptomatic, leading to a denial of his claim for an increased disability rating.