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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and for further development of his service connection claim.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for dermatitis, including as a result of exposure to mustard gas. The hearing loss disability issue remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for multiple sclerosis, chronic dermatitis, and a chronic disability manifested by dry skin as these conditions were not shown to be related to active duty or reserve service.

The Board denied service connection for venous insufficiency with vasospasm and acrodermatitis and acrosclerosis of the hands and feet, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for venous insufficiency. The skin disorder was not shown in service or until many years after service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for psoriasis, which he claims began during active service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine the likely etiology of his psoriasis.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for compliance with VCAA requirements, including providing adequate notice and examination related to the appellant's service-connected tinea versicolor.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected psoriasis is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's photodermatitis did not begin during his military service and is not otherwise attributable to such service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a skin disability (including porphyria cutanea tarda and dermatitis) related to his active military service or events therein, including exposure to Agent Orange. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for a left elbow disability and allergic dermatitis of the back, concluding that any current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have skin disability attributable to his period of military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current disabilities and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disorder and granted an increased rating for nonspecific folliculitis. The effective date is pending further development.

The Board has restored the veteran's original 30 percent rating for his tinea manum and pedis with onychomycosis of the toenails, effective September 1, 2001.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea versicolor due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including scheduling of a dermatology examination during the summer when the condition is most symptomatic.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the right ear hearing loss receiving a 10% rating and psoriasis receiving a 10% rating. The osteotomy residuals remain at 0%. No new evidence was presented to reopen any previously denied claims.

The veteran's atopic dermatitis was initially manifested during service and is granted as incurred in service. The increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease and disc disease, T11-T12, remains unchanged. Service connection for bronchitis is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for skin disability other than tinea pedis, finding no evidence of a current chronic skin disorder related to his military service or Agent Orange exposure.