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

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the condition did not affect more than 5% of the veteran's body or require intermittent systemic therapy.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the veteran's current acne keloidosis of the scalp is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for migraine headaches, right wrist condition, eczema, cervical spine condition, and thoracic spine condition. The veteran's claims were reopened on new evidence but the preponderance of the evidence is against a current disability in each case.

The veteran's service connection claim for chronic skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied. However, the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for chronic pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were denied because he was incarcerated for parole violations, and the statute does not allow for payment of such benefits during periods of incarceration.

The VA has increased the veteran's disability rating for his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis with blepharitis from 10 percent to 30 percent, effective as of October 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's skin disorders, including acne vulgaris, folliculitis, xeroderma, tinea corporis, and pruritus, are not related to his active service or herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for the other conditions due to lack of current evidence.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his skin disorder and gunshot wound residuals, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current rash of the back is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

Service connection has been granted for a brain tumor, specifically for astrocytoma/oligodendroglioma as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.,Peripheral neuropathy and skin disability have not been established as service-connected due to Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is presumed by the VA to be related to his military service.,Service connection has also been granted for a skin disability (to include chloracne) as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective March 29, 2003. Service connection for psoriasis is also granted based on new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a corneal abrasion of the right eye and chronic fatigue syndrome. The knee pain was found to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but other issues were not supported by evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and thus, service connection cannot be established. The veteran's claims are denied.

The veteran's skin disability, characterized by chronic itching and a few active lesions, warrants a 30 percent rating under the revised VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War syndrome.

The veteran's service-connected stelaeczema and tinea pedis of both feet is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that her condition does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The veteran's skin condition was rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7806 until August 30, 2002. After that date, the Board found a compensable rating of 10% for his contact dermatitis and maculopapular rash.