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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for folliculitis of both shins, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any in-service rash to his current condition.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and to Dependents' Educational Assistance under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. chapter 35.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for residuals of perivascular dermatitis of the arms, legs, and trunk is being remanded due to missing VA outpatient records. The RO must request these records and provide the veteran with an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea pedis, headaches, and peptic ulcer disease with duodenitis were denied. The veteran was granted a compensable evaluation for his service-connected tinea pedis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation and training benefits, finding that he has overcome the effects of impairment of unemployability through employment in an occupation consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes was denied as he does not have one nonservice-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more, nor do his disabilities bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more. The Board found that the veteran is not permanently and totally disabled due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left knee traumatic arthritis and retained foreign body, but granted service connection for chloracne due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and an effective date earlier than April 28, 1993 for a 50 percent disability rating for residuals of acne, sebaceous cysts and status post x-ray therapy.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, depression, and a shoulder condition. The claim of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for plantar wart, left foot, is dismissed due to withdrawal by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received. The decision is final as it was a final denial with respect to this issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no evidence linking his warts on hands to service. The Board also found no probative evidence indicating that bilateral tinea pedis was caused by exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for PTSD and chloracne due to exposure to herbicides, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of right and left knee disabilities, respiratory condition, and Meniere's syndrome. The rating for tinea pedis was increased to 10 percent, and the claimant is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Meniere's syndrome.

The veteran's psychiatric disability is related to his service-connected skin condition, and he was granted secondary service connection for this disability. His increased rating claim for the skin condition was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for arthritis and psoriasis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and a skin condition of the feet, bronchitis, and sinusitis. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have post-traumatic stress disorder, ischemic heart disease, eczema, or pneumonia. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for disability of the joints, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's active duty military service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is January 1, 2000. The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment starting from this date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's phlebitis of the lower extremities, currently manifested by chronic venous insufficiency of the legs with stasis dermatitis and pitting and brawny edema of the right leg, was incurred in service.