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

The veteran's service connection claims for a skin condition, chronic fatigue and diarrhea due to undiagnosed illnesses were granted. He was also awarded an initial rating of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from February 8, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current skin disability is related to service, including exposure to jet fuel or chemicals.

The veteran's lichenoid dermatitis was rated at 60 percent effective April 8, 2003. The appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as consideration of staged ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date, finding that his claims were abandoned due to his failure to report for VA examinations and provide requested medical records. The grant of service connection was based on the date of receipt of his new claim in August 2004.

The veteran's initial ratings for atopic dermatitis have been granted, but the RO has not yet determined a specific effective date. The current maximum rating of 60 percent is in effect since September 8, 2005.

The veteran's esophagus disorder is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection for a neck disorder, back disorder, heart disorder, stomach disorder, and hypertension is denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The veteran's service-connected hidradenitis suppurativa and keloid acne do not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance as there is no evidence of damage to his outer garments or staining from medication.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorder, including dermatitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's hypertension and chronic renal insufficiency with dialysis are service connected as secondary to in-service hypertension. The positive TB test is not considered a disability for VA purposes, and allergic conjunctivitis, left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinea cruris were acute and transitory conditions that resolved without residual disabilities.

The Board finds that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's Graves' Disease or dermatitis to service, and thus denies both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, eczema of bilateral hands and left shoulder disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The claims are denied.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain (low back disorder) and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee have been granted service connection. The veteran's greater trochanteric bursitis of the left hip has been denied, as well as her initial disability rating for psoriasis which was granted from March 10, 2004 to May 12, 2005 and then again from May 13, 2005 to April 13, 2006. The veteran's residuals of surgical repair of a Morton's neuroma of the left foot have also been granted service connection.,The veteran's psoriasis has been granted service connection but her initial disability rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10% rating.

The Board denied service connection for a left hand disability and a skin disability of the legs (claimed as jungle rot). The left hand disability is found to not be related to service or herbicide exposure. The skin disability was diagnosed in service but no longer present, with no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection has been denied for both conditions due to lack of direct evidence and because there is no link between the current disabilities and service.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for malaria, and reopening of his claims for sores in the ears and seborrheic dermatitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for chronic diabetes mellitus and a compensable evaluation for tinea versicolor, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that service connection for chloracne and nonspecific inflammation of the legs, shoulders, stomach, and eyes is granted. However, there was no evidence to support a compensable rating for right shoulder disability or an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for numbness of the third, fourth, and fifth fingers of the right hand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinea pedis and pityriasis versicolor, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or revised VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a right knee injury and secondary disabilities. The denial is based on lack of evidence showing in-service or post-service continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her eczema and right wrist dorsal ganglion cyst, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under either the old or new criteria.