Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's current onchyomycosis and tinea pedis of the feet were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as they are more likely related to his poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypercholesterolemia, dermatitis, reactive airway disease, osteoarthritis (save for right shoulder osteoarthritis), and erythema of the eyes are denied.

The veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.,His cervical strain and hemorrhoids issues remain in appellate status with the issue of a higher rating for cervical strain being remanded.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's dishydrotic eczema of the legs, feet, and hands with secondary infection effective May 15, 2001. The veteran previously had service-connected residuals of heat rash of the legs with secondary infection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a skin condition, lymphatic filariasis, gastrointestinal disorder, numbness of the legs and arms, left knee disability, migraine headaches, and low back disability. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected chloracne.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 24, 1997 for service connection and compensation for facial scars. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for acne vulgaris remains pending.

The VA has granted a 10 percent rating for acne vulgaris, the lowest possible rating given the veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, a skin disorder claimed as chloracne, and a heart disorder due to procedural reasons. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for impotence remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular joint injury and skin disabilities, including urticaria, perivascular dermatitis, and tinea versicolor, were incurred in peacetime service. The claims are granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inaudibility of his Travel Board hearing recording, and he has requested another hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the new hearing.

The veteran's current skin condition, diagnosed as chronic dermatitis and seborrheic keratosis, began many years after service and was not caused by any incident of service including herbicide exposure in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for dermatitis is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and a liver disorder on secondary basis due to his pre-existing psoriasis. The claim for reopening of the psoriasis claim was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a rash of the back and a compensable evaluation for residuals of tinea versicolor is being remanded due to incomplete records, including a 1971 Agent Orange examination report. The VA will attempt to obtain these records and conduct further examinations to determine the severity of his skin disability.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected acne of the chest and trunk, and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current heart disorder or skin disorders, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for stelaeczema and tinea pedis, bilateral feet is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address specific criteria in the rating schedule.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 22, 2000, for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted under VA regulations governing effective dates for awards based on a reopened claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's current skin disability and headaches, as well as his military service. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant records from VA and non-VA health care providers, including those from Drs. Bishop and Murthy.