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

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, tinea pedis, foot injury residuals (unspecified), arthritis/joint swelling, scar on the right eyebrow, and scar on the left palm were all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,There was no evidence of hearing loss disability in either ear during service. The veteran's SMRs are silent for complaints, findings, or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual employability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of herniated nucleus pulposus materially contributed to his death. Therefore, the appellant is eligible for educational benefits under Chapter 35 of Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied various claims, including service connection for several conditions and an increased rating for a burn disability. The veteran's appeals were not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected acne rosacea and seborrheic keratosis warrant a 60 percent rating, which is higher than the current 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and right knee disability, but granted a 20 percent rating for her right knee disability. The claim for seborrheic dermatitis remains pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of the right knee and tinea cruris, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current symptomatology.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating was received by the RO on August 6, 2002. The effective date assigned is August 6, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, chronic bronchitis, recurrent tinnitus, ingrown toenails, major depressive disorder, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and residuals of avulsion fracture of the right distal fibula/tibia. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, a left hand condition, and granted service connection for tinea of the feet. The veteran's current diagnosis of tinea of the feet is established as related to his military service.,Service connection was not granted for tinnitus or a left hand condition due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's chloracne is related to his service in Vietnam and/or herbicide/environmental exposures.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial and subsequent ratings for his facial scar, as well as his attempts to reopen his claims for hand dermatitis and eczema. The veteran was not granted any new or increased disability ratings.

The veteran's folliculitis and hidradenitis of the head and shoulders are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was May 8, 1992. The veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and follow any substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of a laceration of the peroneus longus tendon are rated at 10 percent. The evaluation for tinea versicolor from July 29, 2001 to February 12, 2007 is denied as there was no evidence of more than 40% body surface area affected and systemic therapy required during the past 12-month period. For tinea versicolor from February 13, 2007, a rating of 30 percent is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea cruris, a skin disorder, was incurred in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The veteran's skin disorders and sprue colitis have been granted service connection. Hearing loss, vision loss, headaches, cardiovascular disorder, and skeletal disorder claims are pending.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent initial evaluation, effective from October 15, 2001. The veteran's claim to reopen his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims was denied. His application for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected dermatitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of flare-ups.