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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and further examination to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including chloracne, due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not support a finding that any of the diagnosed conditions were related to service or presumed exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange, and for an increased rating for dermatitis of the hands, arms, thighs, and buttocks. The evidence received since the November 1997 decision was not considered new and material.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of 10 percent for psoriasis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee injury with chondromalacia and tinea pedis, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied by the RO in August 2001 due to lack of competent medical evidence showing current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board found no chronic residuals from a nail puncture of the foot, no identified tinea pedis or onychomycosis during service or for many years after service, and no diagnosed migraine headaches. Therefore, these claims were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current pseudofolliculitis barbae and periodontal disease (claimed as gum disease) are not service-connected disabilities for which VA compensation benefits can be granted. The claim was denied.

The Board granted service connection for dermafibromas of the right leg as due to Agent Orange exposure and denied service connection for nummular lichenous dermatitis. The veteran was not exposed to chloracne, but his skin disorders are presumed related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues, including notification errors and scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic skin disorder other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, and the veteran did not have residuals of his fractured left index finger or base of thumb that met the criteria for compensable ratings under VA regulations.

The veteran is seeking service connection for psoriasis, claimed as a result of exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam. The RO has not obtained the VA Agent Orange examination report and needs to request it from the VAMC in Birmingham. If the claim remains denied after this development, the veteran should be provided with a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The veteran's claims for initial evaluations of his left ankle strain, right shoulder strain, onychomycosis and/or tinea pedis, eczema on the lower lip, and urethral stricture were all granted. The conditions are deemed to be service-connected based on their direct relationship to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, plantar warts, bicipital tendonitis, residuals of right foot trauma, and gastritis as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for unreimbursed medical expenses prior to November 1, 1999 was denied as these expenses were not considered in the annualization period. The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was also denied.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to determine the current nature and etiology of the veteran's skin disorder, specifically whether it is chloracne or other acneform diseases consistent with chloracne. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp and head from August 30, 2002. The condition was previously rated as noncompensable prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete development of records and need for further examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's current diagnosis of chloracne, a precancerous growth and parapsoriasis is causally related to his in-service exposure to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive an increased evaluation for PTSD and whether he has a current skin condition due to service exposure.