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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding no current chronic disability related to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the effective date of March 16, 1998. The veteran was also awarded a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 27, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his skin disabilities of the right leg, tinea pedis, and tinea corporis. The RO also denied a claim for a separate evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and left ankle disorder have been granted service connection, while his arthritis claim is denied. The veteran receives a 10% evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board granted service connection for chronic dermatitis with an initial evaluation of 10 percent, effective August 10, 2002. The veteran is seeking a higher rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's acne vulgaris is not more severe than the current 30 percent rating, as it was inactive and did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on ulceration or extensive exfoliation.

The veteran's liver disorder claim is denied as there is no diagnosed condition. The VA examiner found the veteran does not have a current liver disorder and noted that his elevated LFTs were likely due to medication use for gout. For atopic dermatitis, the veteran received a compensable evaluation based on symptoms of itching and exfoliation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, chills, exposure to leeches on the stomach and legs, shrapnel wounds to the arm and legs, malaria, head injury, skin cancer, and tinea pedis (jungle rot of the feet), were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other claims of service connection are also granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for idiopathic nonspecific dermatitis with an effective date of November 23, 2001. The veteran is seeking a more favorable effective date.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including notification of the evidence needed to substantiate his claim and a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's death was caused by a cerebrovascular accident due to or as a consequence of eczema and hepatitis C. The service-connected chronic atopic eczematoid dermatitis (neurodermatitis) is considered the primary cause, with leukocytoclastic vasculitis with cryoglobulinemia contributing substantially to his death.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and evaluations have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus or a higher evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 10 percent for hypertension with retinal arteriosclerotic vascular disease and denied any increase in the rating for folliculitis barbae and eczema.

The Board denied service connection for eczema of the right hand and granted a noncompensable rating for fungal infection of the toenails, including removal of multiple toenails. The veteran's current condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis and left knee disability, as well as his requests to service connect bilateral elbow pain and gout. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions but did not assign appropriate disability ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, chronic headaches (including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange), and an increased rating for Hepatitis B are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will obtain medical records, arrange for examinations, and review the claims file.