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

The Board denied service connection for seborrheic dermatitis and GERD, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.,There was no medical evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the evidence submitted by the veteran did not meet the criteria for new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for non-cancerous skin conditions as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory disability, including sarcoidosis, is related to active service and grants this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for tinea versicolor, to include tinea pedis and eczema. The skin disorder was found not to meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old VA rating schedule.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 60 percent to 10 percent for tinea pedis was not warranted, as there was no evidence of improvement in the disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle and tinea corporis disabilities, as well as service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including folliculitis and chloracne, as no new and material evidence was received to reopen his previously denied claim.

The veteran's PTSD is granted and rated at 70 percent since April 21, 2006. Service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, seborrheic dermatitis, and anxiety (secondary to PTSD) are denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for folliculitis of the sideburns and temple, finding that it meets the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7828.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and also denied his application for improved death pension benefits due to income exceeding the limit.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the feet, finding that these conditions are proximately due to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has found that there is no current diagnosis of a left shoulder or neck disorder, and thus denied the veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left shoulder dislocation with rotator cuff injury and residuals of a neck injury. The skin disorder claim remains pending as additional development is necessary to determine if the veteran currently has a skin condition related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current skin disorder, including psoriasis. The veteran's service records show treatment for pharyngitis but not for psoriasis. However, there are medical studies and articles linking strep throat to psoriasis.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chronic dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA examination and proper notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, which he claimed was due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The evidence did not establish current chloracne and there is no direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder claimed as due to herbicide exposure and PTSD. The veteran's skin conditions are not related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and the VA examiner concluded that they were less likely than not caused by exposures during active duty. Service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have any of the claimed conditions during service or within the initial post-service year, and there is no evidence showing they were incurred due to his military service. The appeal for accrued benefits is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psoriasis, skin rash, and keratosis pilaris decalvans. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, low back disability, prostate disability, residuals of burn scars on the back and left arm, status post fracture of distal phalanx of the left great toe, and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and tinea pedis. The issues of increased ratings for hypertension and service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for nodulo-cystic acne, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange (claimed as chloracne), and denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.