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

The veteran seeks service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), either directly or as secondary to exposure to herbicides, based on his service in Vietnam. The Board notes that PCT is characterized by liver dysfunction and photosensitive cutaneous lesions with bullae, hyperpigmentation, and scleroderma-like changes in the skin. In service, he was treated for perioral dermatitis of the lips and mouth, which was said to be triggered by exposure to sun.

The veteran's skin condition is diagnosed as dermatitis and his left shoulder disability is attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of impingement syndrome. Both conditions are considered direct service connection cases.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected intestinal parasitosis and tinea versicolor do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as there is no competent medical evidence showing severe symptoms for either condition.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for diverticulitis and a skin disorder of the feet, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for nummular dermatitis, claimed as skin rash, to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The VA denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, attributing it to a skin disorder and not related to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has requested an independent medical expert (IME) opinion and the veteran submitted additional argument and evidence. The case is being remanded to the RO for further review of the issues on appeal, including all evidence submitted since the February 2005 supplemental statements of the case.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The Board found that the acne vulgaris did not warrant a higher than 30 percent evaluation, and major depression was not related to active service.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected chloracne and alopecia areata, with a rating of 60 percent for chloracne effective from August 30, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's right eye disability and recurrent folliculitis and lichenoid eczema were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his service, including exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's cystic acne is found to be service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The veteran's service-connected dermatitis is rated at 30 percent, which covers 20 to 40 percent of his entire body. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed as it does not involve service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis. His appeal regarding the initial disability rating for polymorphous light eruption is being remanded to the RO.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, chronic headaches, PUD, and chloracne all claimed as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his active duty, and there is no credible supporting evidence of the alleged stressors.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, arm disorders, hip disorders, back and leg disorders, tinnitus, hearing loss, abdominal issues, penile numbness, and skin disorders related to herbicide exposure, were denied as there is no current medical evidence of these conditions. The veteran sustained fractures of his left ribs during INACDUTRA in 1991.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed right testicle epididymal cyst, basal cell carcinoma of the back and face, and seborrheic dermatitis of the face, ears, and groin. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and fatigue. The claim for back disorder is pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis scars are assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from September 23, 2004. The hearing loss in the left ear is rated as Level I (mild to moderate high frequency sensorineural hearing loss). The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 is dismissed as moot due to the award of a 10 percent evaluation for pseudofolliculitis scars.