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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for allergies, initial ratings for COPD and arthritis of the thoracic spine, and an initial compensable evaluation for hand warts. The appeals were decided on the merits.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis and hiatal hernia with mild gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for psoriasis. The veteran's hiatal hernia was not found to be related to his active service or any service-connected condition.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected tinea versicolor and service connection for skin cancer. The case must be remanded to obtain VA treatment records, provide VCAA notice, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals, including recurrent fungal infections and peripheral neuropathy of the feet. The veteran's current symptoms are found to be related to his in-service exposure to cold weather.

The veteran's post-operative residuals of a right upper lobectomy for adenocarcinoma of the lung are rated at 30 percent since January 24, 2003.,Radiation dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent since January 24, 2003. Prior to that date, it was rated as noncompensable (0 percent).,The veteran's post-operative thoracotomy scar has been rated as noncompensable since July 16, 1999.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, impaired balance, and tinea pedis were denied. The claim to reopen the residuals of a splenectomy was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disability were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or inservice exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for a cyst of the left eye, chloracne, and neuropathy of the right and left upper and lower extremities. The veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is presumed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical records to be obtained and a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's atopic dermatitis is causally related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was found to be a noncompensable disability, while his hemorrhoids were not present in or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for acne and eczema, but denied service connection for hormonal imbalance, menstrual irregularity, depression, PTSD, and the effective dates for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The veteran's claims are remanded to determine appropriate effective dates.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for stress fracture of the left second toe with Freiberg's Disease and psoriasis of the abdomen, hands, and scalp were denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and COPD, nummular eczema, herpes, and dermatitis (claimed as rashes).

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for his skin disorders, including acne and rash of various body areas, as secondary to an operation in the genital area. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of pseudofolliculitis barbae, hemorrhoids, a rash of the groin and feet, or a psychiatric disorder. The service medical records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for these conditions during service, and there is no competent evidence showing their etiology with in-service events.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and acneform eruption due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, was also denied.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, but it is determined that the causes of the veteran's death did not result from a disease or injury incurred in active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as chloracne, finding that there was no evidence of such condition during or within one year after his military service. The Board also noted that the presumptive exposure to Agent Orange did not apply due to the long latency period required for chloracne.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hair loss, skin rash, and bilateral hip disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.