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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right foot calluses, an increased rating for chronic eczema of the hands and feet, and a 30 percent rating for major depressive disorder. The evidence did not support granting any of these ratings.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for non-specific folliculitis, effective from May 1978. The veteran's service-connected skin condition remains at this level.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total rating due to treatment performed in May and August 2002, finding that no evidence showed he required at least one month of convalescence following surgeries for his service-connected non-specific folliculitis.

The Board found no current throat disability as a result of active service.,The Board also found no present leg cramps disability as a result of active service.

The veteran's appeal of the July 2002 decision has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals for these issues.

The veteran's claim for service connection for acne of the head, face and upper body is denied as there is no evidence linking his current condition to service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a stroke, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin disability and impotence are all denied.,There is no current evidence of any disabilities related to the conditions claimed.

The Board found no evidence of a current skin disorder related to service, and denied service connection for the veteran's right knee disorder and hypertension. The veteran was presumed exposed to Agent Orange during service.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and acne with actinic keratosis and scars, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the veteran's dermatitis of the feet, claimed as jungle rot, was not present in service or related to service. The Board also noted that it is not proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's initial ratings for asthmatic bronchitis, low back strain, residuals of head trauma (manifested by a tender scar and headaches), fracture of the right fifth metacarpal, and tinea pedis with bilateral onychomycosis have been denied.,No specific rating has been assigned for sinusitis.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected psoriasis and related conditions did not contribute to his death, which occurred due to cardiac arrest caused by coronary artery disease. The appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals, including tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the toenails bilaterally. The veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected due to lack of evidence relating it to service or noise exposure. His fungus infections are found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine muscle strain, onychomycosis and tinea pedis, and allergic conjunctivitis were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and other applicable laws, regulations, and case law.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain missing service medical records and schedule a VA examination for the veteran's skin conditions. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea manus, pruritis, and a depressive disorder with prominent anxiety symptoms related to service. The veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated at 10%.

The Board found that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, manifested by scarring from lesions on both sides of the neck below the jaw and anterior to the ears measuring 9 x 5 centimeters (20-40 percent of exposed areas affected), causes itching and burning. The scarring is painful, tender on palpation, elevated, discolored, inflexible, and causes occupational impairment. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, chloracne, and colon cancer, all secondary to herbicide exposure. The claim for reopening the previously-denied claim of service connection for colon cancer was also denied.