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

The Board found that the veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for his service-connected skin disorder prior to March 25, 2003 and denied entitlement to a higher initial disability rating beginning on March 25, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected cystic acne vulgaris and a prior effective date, finding that no earlier claim was received by VA.

The veteran's claims for reopening service connection are pending, and the appeals for tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and laceration scar of the upper lip have been granted. The remaining issues remain in a reopened status.

The Board found that the veteran's current skin condition is unrelated to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, his claim for service connection for acne due to herbicide exposure was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin disability and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected pes planus and related skin conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chloracne may be presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for acne vulgaris of the upper back and keratosis pilaris of the arms and back were denied. The VA determined that the conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's folliculitis is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under the current VA rating criteria. The condition has been recurrent but does not involve extensive areas or require intermittent systemic therapy.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin condition, diagnosed as dermatitis, eczema, and folliculitis, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not show that his current conditions were incurred during service or due to exposure to toxins in the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's dental disability was not found to be due to VA treatment, and his skin conditions were rated as they currently are. The laceration of the left index finger is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and dermatitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal regarding peripheral neuropathy is unclear due to lack of information.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of tinea versicolor, prostatitis, or urethritis. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has restored a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, finding that there was sustained material improvement in his condition. The issue of increased ratings for cysts and folliculitis remains pending.

The Board has granted a 40% disability rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain, effective from an unspecified date. The claim of entitlement to increased ratings for dermatitis and anxiety disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted for the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, which more nearly approximates the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's folliculitis decalvans, acne, and xerosis are not related to service. The cervical spine and left hip disorders are also not shown to be related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and post-service medical records. The veteran's claims will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

Service connection was granted for dental trauma to teeth #8 and #9. The left knee injury, skin disorder, back disability, and right hip pain are all found to be service-connected.,New evidence has been submitted supporting the veteran's claims of service origin for his left knee injury, skin disorder, back disability, and right hip pain.