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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinea versicolor, and there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected psoriasis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's chronic left ankle sprain is rated as 10% disabling, and his pseudofolliculitis barbae is also rated at 10%. The Board found that the evidence supported these ratings based on current symptoms.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on headaches, bilateral tinea pedis, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a thorough VA examination.

The veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a 30 percent rating for psoriasis. The effective date of the initial ratings was May 2, 2000.

The veteran's tinea pedis and onychomycosis with corns of both feet have been rated as noncompensable since July 1, 2002. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure, finding no competent medical evidence showing that he has any of the listed presumptive diseases attributable to such exposure. The claim was also denied on reopening claims for neck and headache disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PFB with cystic acne and hyperpigmentation warrants a disability evaluation of 60 percent, effective March 18, 2004.

The Board found no evidence of seborrheic dermatitis during service and denied the claim for service connection, concluding that there is no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's PTSD claim was denied, and he is currently rated at 30 percent for facial scars and chloracne. Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and an eye disorder (claimed as failing eyesight). The effective date is not specified.

The veteran is seeking increased evaluations for his service-connected tinea pedis (athlete's foot) of both feet. The VA has taken actions on other issues, and the appeal is now remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding the severity of his current bilateral foot infection.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the veteran's residuals of acne, effective from the date of the initial decision. The claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, tinea unguium, and tinea cruris. The conditions were not shown during service or related to service.

The veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted a 10% evaluation effective August 30, 2002. The condition covered an extensive area of the neck but was described as very quiescent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis C and a skin disorder, claimed as dyshidrotic eczema. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis and an effective date prior to April 2, 1998, for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extra-schedular evaluation for his service-connected epidermatophytosis with tinea pedis, finding that the evidence did not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for tinea versicolor, service connection for PTSD and tinnitus. The decision also found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for arterial hypertension.