Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to an inadequate VA examination of his tinea condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and other evidence. The veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, along with his ratings for various disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and dysthymia is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 10, 2001. The RO has not granted a higher rating for this condition.,The veteran's service-connected multiple abdominal disorders are currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 30, 2002. The RO has not granted a higher rating for these conditions.,Prior to August 30, 2002, the veteran's service-connected dermatitis of the hands is rated at 10 percent. Since August 30, 2002, it is rated at 30 percent. The RO has not granted a higher rating for these conditions.,The veteran is currently assigned a combined rating of 90 percent due to her service-connected disabilities. She meets the criteria for TDIU based on her educational background and work experience.,The appeal does not involve any presumption, secondary connection, aggravation, or new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran engaged in combat during service and therefore his PTSD is presumed to have been incurred as a result of such. Service connection for chloracne due to herbicide exposure is denied as there is no evidence of its presence within one year after last possible exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection were generally granted, with some conditions being attributed to undiagnosed illnesses.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinea pedis, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating, as they do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The veteran's skin disability, which includes lichen planus and eczematous dermatitis, is currently rated at the highest available schedular rating of 60 percent. The claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's folliculitis of the scalp, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's eczematoid dermatitis, finding that it did not meet the criteria for any higher rating based on its severity.

The veteran was granted service connection for headaches and tinea versicolor of the chest and axilla. Service connection for herniated lumbar disc and arthritis of the spine is not established.,Service connection for headaches and tinea versicolor of the chest and axilla are granted as they are diagnosed conditions that manifested during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin condition (claimed as acne), sinusitis, bronchitis, right knee condition with arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are currently pending due to the need for further development of the hypertension claim.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as a compensable rating for tinea cruris. The claim to reopen a claim for service connection for oligospermia/infertility was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure, finding no evidence of actual direct causation and rejecting the presumption based on herbicide agent exposure.

The veteran's skin disorders were not attributable to his military service and are not presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board found no evidence linking the current skin conditions to service.

The Board denied both issues for higher initial evaluations, finding that the current ratings of 10 percent are most appropriate given the veteran's conditions and evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is due to disease or injury incurred in active service. Service connection was denied for cystic acne as there was no evidence linking it to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's November 2004 statement did not constitute a timely substantive appeal of the April 2001 denial of service connection for sleep apnea, acne, and PTSD. As such, the claims remain denied.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim.,Degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hands and degenerative joint disease with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are both granted service connection. Tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the bilateral feet also received service connection.,The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim.,Service connection was established for degenerative joint disease of the hands, degenerative joint disease with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the feet.