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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, dermatitis, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to in-service symptomatology or pathology.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation greater than 30 percent for service-connected dermatitis is being remanded to the RO via the AMC for further evidentiary development and de novo appellate review.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinea versicolor of the chest, shoulders and upper back as there are no clinically identified manifestations of TV or any residuals thereof upon which to base a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected skin disability is manifested by findings of dermatophytosis, tinea cruris, contact dermatitis of the left leg, mild superficial fungus type rash, intertrigo, chronic hyperkeratotic changes of the groin, and tinea corporis. The current rating of 30 percent does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or revised rating criteria.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected onychomycosis does not warrant a higher disability rating as it does not meet the criteria for a 30 percent or higher evaluation under the old and new rating criteria.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and examinations for the veteran's lumbosacral strain and tinea versicolor, as well as to ensure that all development actions have been conducted in full.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, skin disability (including tinea pedis and manus), and bilateral hand neuropathy. The August 18, 2004 VA examination related to Agent Orange exposure is missing from the record.

The Board denied an increased rating for atopic dermatitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung and heart conditions, flat feet, left ankle disability, DJD of the right knee, and dermatitis due to mustard gas exposure. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and notification to ensure all necessary information is provided before further adjudication of the claims.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and seborrheic dermatitis, finding that the condition covers at least 20 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected dermatitis does not meet or approximate the requirements for a higher disability rating, and therefore denied his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for psoriasis is also granted, with an initial evaluation of 10 percent effective October 1, 2002.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, depression (secondary to a service-connected disability), and increased evaluations for eczema, left elbow injury, and left thumb injury. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and service connection have been granted. The specific conditions include traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, thoracic spine, and dermatitis. Service connection has also been established for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee, bilateral shoulder, or tinea pedis disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for dyshidrosis eczema, tinea pedis, and onychomycosis due to the lack of evidence showing ulceration or extensive exfoliation/crusting, systemic or nervous manifestations.

The Board found that the veteran's psoriasis has been manifested by multiple plaques affecting not more than 20% of either the exposed or non-exposed areas, and thus denied a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that there is no evidence of psoriasis in service and no evidence of continuity of symptomatology following the veteran's discharge from service. The Board also noted a lack of objective clinical evidence of psoriasis until many years after service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for psoriasis was denied.