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

The veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis, residuals of a right testicle injury, and residuals of a low right stomach injury were denied. The claim for hypertension was not fully adjudicated as the RO did not address whether it is related to PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chloracne and acne vulgaris of the face, neck, and back was denied by the RO. The condition is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for restrictive airway disease and atopic dermatitis, both rated at 10 percent. The veteran's restrictive airway disease is currently rated as 30 percent disabling due to daily inhalation therapy, while her atopic dermatitis remains at the initial 10 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected dermatitis, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for recognition as a former prisoner-of-war, service connection for various conditions, and reopening of previously denied claims. The reasons were that there was no evidence to support the veteran's status as a POW, his hearing loss and respiratory disorder were not shown by competent medical evidence to be related to service, arthritis and psoriasis were not shown to have been present in service or within one year post-service, PTSD was based on unsubstantiated stressors, and new and material evidence had not been submitted for the claims of hypertension and malaria.

The veteran's skin disability, including diffuse pruritus of the back, tinea pedis, lichen simplex chronicus of the medial thighs, and tinea cruris, is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board found that this rating was not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, left shoulder disability as secondary to chest scars, and increased ratings for chest scars and tinea versicolor.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, and for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's stasis dermatitis warrants a rating of 30 percent, effective from when his claim was filed.

The VA denied an increased rating for tinea cruris, finding that the condition does not warrant a higher evaluation based on current symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neurodermatitis warrants a 30 percent disability evaluation, effective from August 5, 2002.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, duodenal ulcer with resulting gastric resection, tinea pedis, and a skin disorder of the hands were all denied. The VA also denied an increased evaluation for residuals of shell fragment wounds to various body parts. No new evidence was submitted that could reopen any of these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected bilateral foot and skin disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a low back disorder and disabilities of the feet. The veteran is required to provide medical evidence or nexus statements regarding these claims.

The veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service.,Prior to October 25, 1996, the right knee disability was not manifested by severe impairment. From October 25, 1996 onwards, it was found to have mild impairment.,Tinea versicolor has resolved and no longer requires treatment.,Tinea pedis also resolved and does not require a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected prostatitis and bilateral tinea pedis are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, comply with VCAA notification requirements, and schedule the veteran for appropriate VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the residuals of a tonsillectomy, entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches from February 26, 1991, and entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic photodermatitis, from September 6, 1995 to February 15, 1999.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis and nummular eczema, as his skin conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation.