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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined compensation rating for service-connected disabilities is only 50 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a TDIU rating.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current skin disorder, and the veteran's claimed skin disorders are not related to his active service or herbicide exposure. The claim for an increased rating for a scar was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PFB with keloids does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, a skin disorder (contact dermatitis), sleep apnea, and snoring and tiredness. The reasons include that there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, low back disability, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. The claim to reopen his bilateral eye disorder was also denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is established, meeting the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a).

The RO denied service connection for bilateral ear disability due to exposure to Agent Orange, and the veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for acne was granted. The issue regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral ear disability on other than an Agent Orange basis is pending.

The veteran's eye disability, allergic rhinitis, and seborrheic dermatitis of the face were not found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current skin condition, including tinea pedis, is related to his military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for eczema and anxiety reaction, finding that the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the revised skin rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis, hypertension, and heart disease as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining active duty and inactive duty for training dates from the Nebraska and Colorado National Guard, obtaining updated treatment records from the Vets Center, arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine PTSD severity, and arranging for a VA dermatology examination to determine if any skin disease of the feet began during or is causally linked to any incident of active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training.

The veteran's appeal is denied as the RO did not provide a decision on service connection for a back disability, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.,Service connection was granted for headaches due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain and dermatitis are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acne keloidalis nuchae is appropriately rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under both old and new VA rating criteria. The condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on disfigurement or extensive skin involvement.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the veteran's service-connected psoriasis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis and Bateman's purpura, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for onychomycosis and tinea pedis. The veteran's skin disabilities were not shown to be related to active service or secondary to his service-connected varicose vein disability.

The veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenal ulcers and a compensable rating for psoriasis were denied. The claim for an effective date prior to May 18, 1999, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. There is no evidence of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the June 1981 rating decision regarding a nervous disorder.

The Board denied service connection for post traumatic stress disorder and recurrent dermatitis, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound prior to August 30, 2002.