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

The veteran's aortic insufficiency and dermatitis of the hands are service-connected, with combined disability ratings allowing for pension eligibility. The skin condition is presumed not to be related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and dermatitis. The claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fractured nasal bone was also denied.

The Board determined that the veteran's essential hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for tinea pedis with foot rash was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of legal merit.

The Board has granted service connection for acne vulgaris and combined it with psoriasis, but the evaluation remains at 30 percent. The case is now being remanded to consider an increased evaluation for acne vulgaris.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for eczematous dermatitis is being reviewed, as well as his claim for service connection for a diabetic condition.

The Board found that the veteran's acne vulgaris was aggravated by service, and granted his claim for residuals of acne vulgaris.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for psychogenic gastrointestinal reaction and psoriasis, but has not decided whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected tinea pedis and onychomycosis of both feet warrants a 30 percent rating under the old criteria, as it meets the requirements for constant itching, discoloration, pain, and cracking of the skin. The new criteria do not apply due to lack of ulceration or extensive exfoliation/crusting.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his varicose veins and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and tinea versicolor are being remanded due to additional development of her Army National Guard service records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for generalized muscle weakness, fatigue, degenerative joint disease, depression, a sebaceous cyst, and psoriasis are denied. The left shoulder disorder claim is also denied.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating effective May 10, 1994. The neurodermatitis remains at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for a postoperative back disorder and bilateral tinea pedis. The veteran's claim was reopened, but the new evidence did not establish service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic degenerative joint disease of the left ankle and tinea versicolor, as well as his claim for service connection for PTSD. The RO assigned a 10 percent disability rating to each condition since April 20, 1995.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication of the initial disability rating for cystic acne vulgaris, taking into consideration all evidence including new evidence since the last SSOC.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for infectious hepatitis and denied service connection for tinea cruris.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for further review as required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including post-operative residuals of a right hip tumor (lipoma), rash of the crotch, face and shoulder, chloracne, arthritis of the fingers, right shoulder, right knee and back, arthritis of other joints, residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left ankle, and spondylitis were denied as these conditions are not presumed due to herbicide exposure or service connection is established on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disorder other than tinea pedis with an 'id' reaction on the hands, diagnosed as folliculitis and/or acne vulgaris, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The right eardrum perforation is also denied.