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

The veteran's chloracne was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's eczematoid dermatitis does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and dyshidrotic eczema was denied as there is no verified supporting evidence of the claimed stressors, and the skin condition was not linked to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acne clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his military service and was not aggravated by his military service, including as due to herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for acne is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids, service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and service connection for tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea versicolor.

The veteran's current skin conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent for tinea versicolor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for diabetes mellitus are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic eye disorder, skin disorder or hair loss related to his military service. The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently controlled with oral medication and diet without requiring regulation of activities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and prurigo nodularis, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service exposure. The claim for schizophrenia was not addressed as it is an original claim.

The veteran's skin disorder of tinea versicolor and pedis has been rated at 30 percent since February 3, 1982. The Board finds that the current rating is appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinea pedis is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and gallstones, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during or after service. The claim for hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The skin rash is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis of the claimed condition exists. Service connection for bronchitis or other respiratory disorder and arthritis of the back are also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic upper respiratory disability is not related to active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for dermatitis urticaria with dermographism, finding that the veteran's condition did not rise to the level of severity prescribed for such a rating.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), effective from the date of receipt of the claim, based on constant itching and scattered tender exposed papules in the beard area.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left leg varicose veins with stasis dermatitis does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent on and after October 21, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. His claims for increased ratings are pending.

The Board has denied service connection for cysts on hands and face, as well as dyshidrotic eczema, due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was granted for chloracne, also presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's skin disability, specifically pseudofolliculitis barbae and cystic acne vulgaris, does not warrant an increased rating as there is no visible or palpable tissue loss, distortion of facial features, or other characteristics of disfigurement. The scars are stable and cover less than 2% of the exposed surface area.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left elbow disabilities, as well as tinea pedis (fungal nail infection), were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.