Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of January 9, 2001, for service connection of seborrheic eczema (claimed as chloracne). The decision found that no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim prior to January 30, 2001.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The current medical evidence did not reveal clinical manifestations of pseudofolliculitis barbae, and his combined service-connected disability rating was 50 percent. His service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 22, 2003 for a 30 percent rating for eczema and dismissed his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for dry eye induced blepharospasm of the left eyelid.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chondrosarcoma of the right lower extremity and chloracne. The veteran was not granted service connection on a direct basis or due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne due to presumed in-service herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for hypertension and a respiratory disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, and psoriasis. The RO later denied reopening these claims on the basis that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's skin disability, including any condition related to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for further development and a VA dermatology examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a chronic skin disorder, claimed as dermatitis due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining an opinion from the VA physician who provided the November 2004 addendum.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne as a result of exposure to herbicides, finding that there was no current diagnosis or evidence of treatment within the one-year presumptive period following Vietnam service.

The Board granted service connection for Chloracne due to new and material evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for annual clothing allowance was denied as the application was filed after the initial grant of service connection and within one year of notification.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psoriatic dermatitis warrants a disability rating of 30 percent, effective from May 7, 2004.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis of the trunk and chronic cough, finding that there is no current disability. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's conditions, including anemia, chronic dermatitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome, do not meet the criteria for initial compensable evaluations or service connection under the applicable rating criteria. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of a current disability related to retinal detachment.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The veteran's mood disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected skin disorder. The RO must readjudicate the issues on appeal concerning the evaluations assigned for the veteran's skin disorder involving xerosis and dyshidrotic eczema.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to evaluate his service-connected lichen simplex chronicus and tinea cruris. The clothing allowance claim must also be readjudicated by the Dallas VAMC.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and several skin disorders. The appeals were reopened on new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, tinea pedis, and testicular disorder. The claims for skin disorder, low back disability, right shoulder disability, and ear wax build-up have been reopened but not granted.