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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for chronic lumbar strain and tinea versicolor, finding that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat foot and an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service or a current disability resulting from service. The veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his tinea pedis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing proper VCAA notice and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for facial acne, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral bunions. The veteran's pre-existing conditions were found to not have been aggravated by her active service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his dyshidrotic dermatitis is remanded due to the need for further development. His claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder will be addressed by the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of an increase in severity during service and insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that the current disabilities are related to service.

The veteran has withdrawn all of his claims before the VA.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and further development of his claims.

The veteran's service-connected skin disability requires the use of prescribed medications that cause irreparable damage to outer garments, warranting an annual clothing allowance for 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his claimed conditions. Service connection was not granted for post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic right knee disorder, or irritable colon syndrome. A compensable evaluation was also denied for folliculitis of the scrotum.

The veteran's death was ruled due to colon cancer, but the evidence does not support a finding that this condition is service-connected. The appellant's claims for psoriasis, heart disease, and sterility were also denied as there is no established service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, other than chloracne, and finds that new evidence supports this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for dyshidrotic eczematous dermatitis of the hands and service connection for scars due to dermatitis, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or scarring related to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's facial acne, which is manifested by a painful cyst and ice pick scars on the chin, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent under the criteria in effect prior to August 30, 2002. The post-operative residuals of pilonidal cyst issue was not addressed as it was not properly before the Board at that time.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and chloracne, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his skin condition of the feet with hyperkeratotic toenails and calluses is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are currently rated as they were initially granted service connection.

The veteran withdrew her appeals for increased evaluations of her mental disorder, maxillary sinusitis, and acne vulgaris before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran's TDIU rating and basic eligibility for DEA benefits under Chapter 35 were granted effective January 7, 2002. The Board denied earlier effective dates.

The veteran's skin disability, which includes acne and pertifolliculitis of the scalp with keloids, was rated at 10 percent prior to November 3, 2003. Since then, it has been rated at 60 percent due to worsening symptoms including scarring on the face and scalp.