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

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder disability and a compensable evaluation for his cystic acne vulgaris with double comedome formation consistent with chloracne, trunk and face.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case will be returned to the RO for the requested development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a skin examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral ankle disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for eczema of the hands was also addressed, but as it had already been granted with a noncompensable rating from February 6, 1999, to August 2, 2000, and a 10 percent rating thereafter, no further action was taken on this issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for acne of the scalp and face, as well as his request for an earlier effective date, must be denied due to insufficient evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of tendonitis of the left knee and elbow were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on current symptoms.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and tinea versicolor, finding new and material evidence in support of these claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne due to exposure to Agent Orange is being remanded because the VA did not schedule a necessary skin examination as part of the previous remand. The RO must obtain any missing records and reschedule the veteran for an examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is REMANDED to the RO for further actions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for compliance with notification and development action requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, including chloracne and porphyria cutanea tarda, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The veteran's skin disabilities were found to be due to exposure to heat and humidity in Vietnam, while his peripheral neuropathy was attributed to pre-existing conditions and injuries unrelated to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The back disability, appendectomy scars, and tinea pedis conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for increased evaluations of service-connected tinea versicolor and tinea pedis, leaving only the issue of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including dermatitis/tinea pedis, osteoarthritis, rheumatological disease, and left foot disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of providing for his own daily self-care or from protecting himself against the hazards and dangers of daily living without the assistance of another person. He is not a patient in a nursing home.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for each of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and thus his claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and her service connection claim for residuals of extraction of an impacted tooth. The veteran disagrees with these decisions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 14, 1998 for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected skin disorder and residuals of fracture.