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

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current evidence of a sleep disorder, and the right knee disability was rated at 10 percent since January 1, 2002. The left varicocele and skin condition (tinea barbae of the scalp with scarring alopecia) have also been rated at 10 percent since January 1, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease and psoriasis are being evaluated.

The veteran's PFB is currently rated at 10 percent, and his claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the residuals of a low back injury was denied due to lack of evidence of a chronic disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and granted initial noncompensable ratings for residuals of lacerations to the left middle and ring fingers. The claim for reopening the previously denied back condition was also denied on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran currently has chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne related to herbicide exposure in service. The RO should also assess whether any of the veteran's current skin conditions are related to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his military service or service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings for right knee small meniscus tear, arthritis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and chin scars.

The veteran's claims for evaluations of her service-connected conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected GERD with duodenitis and a separate 10 percent rating for his contact dermatitis, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's only service-connected condition, tinea pedis of both feet rated at 30%, does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and obtaining a medical opinion to determine if the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction contributed to his death.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on his spouse's need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an overactive bladder and a skin disorder, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a relationship between his diabetes mellitus and his overactive bladder, nor any evidence of chloracne or other skin condition due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) and denied entitlement to an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne, jungle rot, testicular tumor, and bilateral rotator cuff tears due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's acne, presternal area (chest) skin disability under the revised criteria set forth in Diagnostic Code 7806. The other issues on appeal have been addressed and are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's exposure to herbicides during service is presumed, but his claimed conditions of chloracne and peripheral neuropathy were not shown within one year after the last date of presumed exposure. Therefore, presumptive service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding no evidence of a current skin condition related to his service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's service-connected tinea pedis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the revised skin disability rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and a skin disorder, as well as his request for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus. The severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus was also denied.