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

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely and adequate substantive appeal for several of his claims, including those related to service connection for chloracne and peripheral neuropathy with pain and fatigue as a result of herbicide exposure. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The veteran seeks service connection for chloracne, which he claims is due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The case has been remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in its January 19, 1972 decision denying service connection for psoriasis. The veteran's skin condition was shown to have increased during service, and the Board incorrectly concluded that it did not meet the criteria for aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for alopecia areata and tinea pedis.,Evidence received since January 2000 did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim for service connection for alopecia areata.

The VA has determined that the veteran's acne scarring and acne vulgaris do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of extensive exfoliation, crusting, systemic or nervous manifestations. The condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new skin disability rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for onychomycosis, eczema, and retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee. The initial evaluations were not granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation on the basis of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite residuals of the right third finger, and denied compensable disability ratings for pes planus and contact dermatitis.

The veteran's low back disorder is rated as moderate intervertebral disc syndrome and has been granted a 20 percent rating since September 23, 2002.,Left plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent from the effective date of service connection to the present.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding no evidence of current manifestation or causal relationship to active duty or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD and restored a 10 percent evaluation for tinea versicolor from October 10, 2002. The case is being remanded for further development related to the PTSD claim.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA skin examination to determine the nature and extent of his dermatitis, tinea pedis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of the right leg, skin cancer, seborrheic dermatitis, fatigue, depression, cardiac disease, hypertension, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine. The preponderance of evidence demonstrated that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for polysubstance dependence, tinea versicolor, and depression. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or any link to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The VA determined that the veteran's current skin disorders of the feet, diagnosed as chronic dyshidrotic eczema and chronic fungal infections, are related to his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and found that his service-connected conditions did not warrant higher evaluations based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, specifically tinea versicolor, as it was not shown to be related to his military service and there is no evidence of Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that the veteran's current skin condition does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including acne and alopecia. The veteran's claims were not well-grounded at the time of the April 2000 decision.

The veteran's nummular eczema has been assigned an initial evaluation of 10 percent, effective November 1, 2000. The condition is manifested by itching and lesions on the back that extend along the dorsal and lumbar area.