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

The Board has determined that the veteran's psoriasis does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as it affects less than 5% of his exposed areas and more than 5% but less than 20% of his total body area. The arthritis is rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's skin disorder (nummular eczema) was not found to be incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to herbicides. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there was no established combat stressor.

The veteran seeks service connection for chloracne, which he claims was caused by herbicide exposure during service. The VA has not yet provided a comprehensive examination or obtained all relevant medical records to determine the nature and etiology of his current skin disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his lumbosacral strain, nonunion fracture of the right scaphoid, patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, and psoriasis. The RO found that these conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's tinea pedis was evaluated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings, assigning a 20 percent rating for residuals of a fracture of the right fourth metacarpal and a 30 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not related to his service, and thus denied this claim. The claims for service connection for multiple brain lesions and headaches, as well as chloracne, are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has ordered additional development of the claims due to incomplete records and need for medical examinations.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The spouse does not qualify for SMC based on her own disability.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for dermatitis and bronchitis, both of which were previously denied in final rating decisions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acne, an ingrown toenail on the left great toe, tinnitus, a left knee disability, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), and bilateral hearing loss. The reasons given include lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection. The initial increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is addressed in a separate REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, hypertension and bilateral vision problems are not service-connected, arthritis of the lumbar spine, right ankle disorder, and right shoulder disorder are granted with a 30 percent rating each. Dermatitis was denied.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for left renal stones, tinea versicolor, and left knee disability.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a compensable evaluation for his dermatitis of the right lower extremity with onychomycosis of the toenails, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim to reopen his service connection for left ear hearing loss with tinnitus was also denied as no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected eczema does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it does not cover at least 20% or more of his entire body or exposed areas affected, nor has it required systemic therapy for a total duration of six weeks or more during the past 12-month period.

The VA determined that the veteran's tinea cruris and tinea pedis disability warranted a 30 percent rating, effective August 1, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea of the hands and tinea pedis had onset during service, while his post-traumatic stress disorder and depression were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran seeks service connection for chronic lipomas and photodermatitis, to include as due to herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further development of his claims.

The veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for a perforated right tympanic membrane was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for allergies due to asbestos exposure was not established as there is no evidence of such exposure in service or any current disability linked to it.