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

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and VCAA compliance.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 8, 2001, for his TDIU rating. The veteran did not meet the percentage criteria for a TDIU rating under section 4.16(a) prior to this date.

The veteran's service-connected carpel tunnel syndrome with right wrist flexion contracture and loss of function of thumb and index finger of the major arm is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet his claim for a higher rating.,The veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development of his service-connected disabilities, particularly those affecting his lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 18, 1996, for the award of service connection for folliculitis/chloracne is denied. The RO must review and re-adjudicate his claim for a higher initial disability rating.

The veteran's acne keloidalis nuchae and dental condition were not service-connected. The Board found that the veteran had a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia, but did not find it to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin condition, allergic rhinitis, and residuals of tuberculosis exposure. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's facial sunburn with seborrheic dermatitis and history of herpetic lesions and actinic keratosis, effective August 30, 2002.

The veteran is entitled to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Silliman University Medical Center from September 13, 1998, to September 16, 1998. The other issues were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for carcinoma of the bladder and dermatitis were not granted as service connection was denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's skin conditions of keratosis pilaris on arms, acne vulgaris, and dermographism were incurred during active service. The VA has granted initial ratings for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and a skin disorder due to Agent Orange exposure are being remanded for further development of medical evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis and gastroesophageal reflux disorder with hiatal hernia and hepatitis C were granted. However, the claim for an increased evaluation of his residuals of left wrist injury and removal of ganglion cyst was denied.

The veteran's service records show a diagnosis of dermatitis in 1986, but no current evidence of the condition. The Board finds that there is no competent evidence linking her current symptoms to her military service.,Service medical records noted upper respiratory infections in 1982 and 1988, but post-service records do not show any current conditions related to these issues.

The RO denied increased ratings for Congestion of Ocular Vessel Secondary to Graves Disease, Chronic Prostatitis, and Hypothyroidism Secondary to Graves Disease. The veteran's Tinea Corporis was granted a 30% rating.,No new evidence or changes in service connection were presented.

The veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is rated at 50 percent for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for glaucoma and dermatitis, both found to be secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for seborrheic dermatitis and right testicle epididymal cyst, both linked to Agent Orange exposure.

The VA denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for contact dermatitis (claimed as neurodermatitis). The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The veteran's chronic skin disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. The claim for increased evaluation of the left shoulder shell fragment wound remains pending and requires further examination.