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

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left leg bone graft do not warrant a compensable disability evaluation due to the absence of any functional limitation attributable to the scar or as the result of the original bone graft.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia is likely due to a condition first manifest during service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 30 percent, reflecting constant exudation or itching with extensive lesions and marked disfigurement.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his service-connected tinea cruris, manus and pedis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinea cruris, manus and pedis has been set at September 14, 2003.

The veteran's chloracne disability is found to have been incurred during his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, asthma, cataracts, and depression. The Board found that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or any aggravation during service. The current conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for generalized psoriasis has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The veteran's service connection for dermatitis of both feet was granted, but the RO denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder. The appeal is now being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for atopic dermatitis, but denied service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and a deviated nasal septum. The veteran's claims of service connection for post-traumatic headaches, hair loss, neck pain, hand numbness, memory loss, and poor circulation are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acne vulgaris was incurred during active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for dermatitis and eczema, finding that the conditions did not clearly and unmistakably preexist service or were aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence linking mycosis fungoides to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of lumbar strain, hypertension, and tinea pedis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disorder and pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service or medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current eye problems, including refractive error and presbyopia, are not related to service. The Board also found that his chloracne is attributable to in-service herbicide exposure but did not grant service connection due to lack of a superimposed injury or disease during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic intermittent folliculitis of the scalp is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right hand numbness, left ankle sprain, PFB, and headaches were denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability or a link to military service. The claim for residuals of an injury to the left middle finger was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and entitlement to an increased rating for macular papular rash/eczema. The RO is instructed to consider these issues again, including a review of the new regulatory criteria for skin disorders effective August 30, 2002.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for dermatitis of the hands is being remanded due to additional development required by a recent court decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for VA examinations and consideration of revised rating criteria.