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

The veteran's service-connected PTSD with chronic headaches is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from October 8, 1999. The Board finds that the disability picture warrants a higher rating due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as tinea pedis, pseudofolliculitis barbae and recurrent cellulitis, was rated at 60 percent since August 30, 2002. The Board found that the condition did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's tinea pedis and dyshidrotic eczema of the hands and feet, currently rated at 30 percent. The criteria for a higher rating were not met as the condition did not meet the requirements for more than 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected.

The veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea pedis and tinea unguium of the toenails is remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the United States Code, finding that she was rehabilitated and did not meet the criteria for reentrance into a rehabilitation program.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for acne vulgaris and hearing loss in the right ear, as well as his claim for service connection for residuals of a 5th metatarsal fracture. The RO granted service connection for otitis media, left ear.

The veteran is seeking service connection for subacute and chronic psoriasiform spongitic dermatitis, compatible with subacute and contact dermatitis with eosinophilia, which he claims is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. He also seeks an increased rating for his service-connected chloracne.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an examination and clarifying the increased rating claim for follicular dermatitis and eczema.

The veteran's skin disorder, including lower extremity dermatitis, was granted a 10 percent evaluation effective June 2, 2003. The issue remains on appeal as the full benefits have not been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a respiratory disability, skin condition, or hair loss related to his service in the Persian Gulf. The VA and private medical opinions do not support a finding of Gulf War Illness.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from his treatment at VA's Dublin, Georgia Medical Center. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current evaluation of 10 percent fully contemplates his service-connected skin disability, and thus does not warrant a higher rating.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's seborrheic neurodermatitis, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected conditions. The RO must also clarify the status of an appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The VA determined that the veteran's active chloracne is minimal and has resolved, resulting in only residual pitted scars. The current evaluation of 10% under Diagnostic Code 7829 is appropriate given the inactive nature of his condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his psoriasis disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional VA outpatient records, verifying stressors, scheduling a VA examination, and providing notice under the VCAA.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema, the highest available rating under VA's skin disability criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.