Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2005

The veteran's frostbite residuals have been granted a 10% evaluation, effective from August 30, 2002.

The VA has determined that the veteran's eczematous dermatitis does not warrant a higher evaluation, as it does not cover more than 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected and there is no evidence of systemic manifestations. The current rating of 30% remains in effect.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she is unemployable due to these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for his skin condition and whether his unreimbursed medical expenses were properly considered in determining his countable annual income are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's conditions, including weakness and lack of energy, memory loss, insomnia, sore muscles, joint aches, skin disability (intertrigo and tinea cruris), and psychiatric disability (depression and anxiety) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinea pedis and remanded it for further development. The issue of a higher evaluation for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disability warrants a 60 percent evaluation, effective October 30, 2002. The effective date prior to this determination is denied due to lack of evidence showing an increase in the condition within one year before the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient service medical records and a need to determine if chloracne is related to military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, insomnia, TMJ, dark urine disorder, Chlamydia, and headaches on a direct basis. The skin disorder was not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection under provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 for stomach disability, sleep disability, memory loss, panic disorder, skin rashes, and acne. The left knee disability was rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear otitis media and eczema, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin rash, fatigue and headaches, nervous symptoms, low back pain, shortness of breath, and a right little finger injury, all presumed to be related to Gulf War service.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the condition does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The veteran's increased rating claims for his headache disorder and skin disorder were denied, while the service connection claims for a right hip disorder as secondary to his right knee disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were also denied. The TDIU claim was not adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the veteran's duodenal ulcer disease, skin conditions (tinea cruris and mycosis fungoides), and bilateral hearing loss are all related to noise exposure during his service in combat. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred during service and is not presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure. The RO granted a 10 percent disability rating for tinea pedis effective April 17, 2004.

The veteran's total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability was granted effective April 6, 2004, when his combined service-connected disabilities reached 80 percent. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to this date.

The Board found that the veteran's eczema did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial evaluation, and thus granted service connection with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and granted service connection on the merits. The appellant's other claims were denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a skin disorder, claimed as chloracne and dermatitis, related to his period of military service or to service-connected PTSD or diabetes. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.