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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the old or new criteria for skin disorders.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an audiological evaluation and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acne. A new VA examination is also needed to assess the severity of his service-connected kidney stones with hematuria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, including tinea pedis and pes planus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for eczema of the legs has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or within one year post-service, with the exception of a diagnosis of dry eyes and refractive error in November 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis and an initial disability evaluation greater than 50 percent for his skin disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of service connection for scoliosis, as it could not be determined whether the condition was congenital or acquired in-service. For the skin disability, the Board noted that while the veteran had visible and palpable tissue loss with multiple nodules, these did not meet the criteria for increased ratings under the amended VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected low back pain syndrome and tinea pedis.

The Board denied the claim for a TDIU as the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for consideration of a TDIU, and his asthma and acne do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and denied service connection for eczema. The veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were rated at 30 percent prior to February 1, 2006.

The veteran's recurrent boils in the rear of the neck are found to be due to treatment for the same condition during service while serving in Vietnam. The arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, heart murmur, and hypertension are not considered service-connected.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected dermatitis and asthma, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under current rating criteria.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development of service medical records and notification to the veteran.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pericarditis, eczema, and hyperlipidemia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis of the face and scalp, dry skin, bilateral tinea pedis, and folliculitis of the chest, back, and abdomen as these conditions are not related to his military service or service-connected acne.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a skin disorder in service and no continuous symptoms since service separation. The current diagnosed skin disorders are not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected skin disorder (tinea pedis) is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA compensation examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for myopia and presbyopia with astigmatism, urinary tract infection, low back pain, bilateral shoulder condition, anemia, and eczema. The veteran was granted a 10% rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome and a 10% rating for eczema of the left lower leg.

The Board denied service connection for fatty tumors and chloracne, both of which were not diagnosed. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, a tropical-based gastro-intestinal disorder, atrophy of the testes, and tinea pedis. The appeals are based on new evidence submitted by the veteran.