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

The Board found that the veteran was not entitled to a program of education under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code because he declined employment assistance offered by VA and remained employed full-time in a suitable position.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 6, 2001 for the grant of separate service connection for folliculitis of the chest, upper back, arms, and posterior neck. The claim for increased evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder prior to August 24, 2001 remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the diagnosis of chloracne and its relation to service. The appellant must undergo a VA medical examination to determine if he has chloracne or any other skin disorder related to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU, finding that there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to May 19, 2004.

The Board granted service connection for acne and a left knee disability, and increased the ratings for costochondritis, actinic keratoses of bilateral hands, hemorrhoids, and umbilical hernia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and original disability ratings in several cases, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with bipolar disorder, right knee tendonitis, lumbar strain, acne vulgaris, and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the possibility that the veteran's current skin conditions may be related to his military service.

The veteran's skin conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. His claims for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus and right knee disability, as well as PTSD, have all been denied.

The veteran's right ankle instability results in no more than moderate limitation of motion, which does not warrant a higher evaluation.,For the left shoulder strain, there is no evidence of ankylosis or other significant impairment that would justify a higher rating. The veteran has mild functional impairment with loss in range of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left knee strain residuals and bilateral tinea pedis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for either condition.

The veteran's cervical spine disability and dermatitis were not found to warrant increased evaluations, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board found that there is no evidence of chronic folliculitis or staphylococcus infections in service, and the veteran's post-service episodes are not related to his in-service cellulitis infection. The claim for service connection was denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's variously diagnosed skin disorders, including psoriasis and pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma and other conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, which he contends is more severe than the current evaluation reflects. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and consider the severity of the condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis and lipomas of the forehead and scalp, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an enlarged heart and a chronic skin disorder (tinea versicolor). The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back strain and service connection for foot fungus, finding that there was no evidence of exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting extraschedular consideration and concluding that the dermatitis of the feet is not related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected psoriasis has been rated at 30% from October 1, 1998 to June 19, 2002 and at 50% since June 20, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and denied his claim for an increased rating for dermatitis. The skin condition resulted in painful lesions affecting less than 5% of exposed areas, requiring only topical creams.