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

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions related to the veteran's service, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition (chloracne) and acute porphyria, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's service records show no evidence of chloracne or porphyria during his military service.

The veteran's prostate enlargement is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum available under VA rating criteria.,The veteran's degenerative changes of the right knee are currently rated at 10 percent prior to June 15, 2006 and 30 percent beginning on that date. The current ratings for the left knee remain unchanged.,The veteran's residuals of frostbite of the right foot have been rated at 20 percent since August 4, 1998, with no higher rating available under VA criteria.,The veteran's residuals of frostbite of the left foot were initially rated at 10 percent prior to September 21, 2000 and remain at that level. A higher evaluation is not warranted due to lack of supporting evidence.,The veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since June 1, 1998, with no higher rating available under VA criteria.,The veteran's tinea cruris was initially rated at 10 percent prior to June 1, 1998 and remains unchanged.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current facial skin disorder, onychomycosis of the right great toenail, and eczema to service. The conditions were diagnosed after service, and there is no probative medical evidence showing a link between these conditions and service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if he needs aid and attendance.

The Board has restored service connection for the veteran's chloracne, which represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal. The case is now REMANDED to issue an SOC regarding his claim seeking an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Board denied an initial rating for chronic skin disorders, including psoriasis, fungal rash and chloracne evaluated as 30 percent disabling. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for each of two acne lesions on the veteran's neck and waist.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for chloracne was denied. The effective date of service connection remains October 18, 1992.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis of the hands and did not reopen claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea cruris does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to incomplete examination report, inadequate VCAA notice, and other procedural issues.

The veteran's asthma and eczema claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his asthma.

The veteran's initial evaluations for lumbosacral strain, bilateral shin splints, and acne were denied. The VA found that her conditions did not warrant an evaluation greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain or compensable evaluations for the shin splints.

The veteran's claims for service connection for UTI, chest scar, pes planus, groin and stomach pain, allergic rhinitis, and URI have all been denied as there is no current evidence of disability related to service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his skin conditions and left knee disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for either condition before or after the relevant effective dates.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and increased evaluations for dermatitis of the scalp, inguinal region, and thighs, as well as gunshot wound residuals of the right hand due to the veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea cruris and xerosis of the hands are related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea pedis does not warrant an increased rating, as it affects less than 5% of his entire body and no exposed areas. The condition is treated with topical therapy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including COPD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and dermatitis of both hands, were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gout, residuals of myocardial infarction with hypertension and headaches, right knee disability, left knee disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The decision also denied a compensable evaluation for molluscum contagiosum.