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

The Board has determined that a compensable rating, but not higher, is warranted for the veteran's tinea pedis beginning August 30, 2002. The effective date remains pending as it was not specified in this decision.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development and clarification of his allegations, including verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD. The claims are also being remanded to determine whether any current back disorder is related to service.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a chronic skin disability and determined that the episodes of irritant contact dermatitis in service were acute and transitory, resolving without residual disability.

The veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including a right shoulder disability rated at 40 percent disabling. The combined rating of his service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board finds that the veteran's current skin condition, including dermatitis of the arms and legs, is at least as likely as not due to mustard gas exposure during his period of active service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected dermatophytosis of the hands and feet with onychomycosis does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under either the old or new schedular criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and low back disability. The Board found that recurrent folliculitis is related to service, but did not find any evidence of a chronic back disability in service or otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and hearing loss disability, but denied service connection for acne/cyst condition (claimed as chloracne).

The veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision, leaving no issues for further consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae, Eustachian tube dysfunction with impaired hearing, bilateral tinnitus, capsulitis of the left shoulder, and tendonitis of the left hip.

The veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae of the anterior neck was found to not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new VA skin disability rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for chloracne and scarring, including as due to herbicide exposure is being remanded due to scheduling issues. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, finding no current diagnosis of the condition and thus denying presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for major affective disorder with PTSD was also considered but not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for tinea pedis, left foot, and residuals of left thumb fracture are denied as there is no evidence showing that either condition warrants a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of chest pain, hearing loss, folliculitis of the neck, memory loss and difficulty with concentration, or fatigue. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea pedis and cruris with onychomycosis, residuals of left knee strain, and osteoarthritis of the ankles. The conditions were rated under direct service connection criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disorder and seborrheic dermatitis have been denied. The RO is directed to consider additional evidence submitted since September 1, 2006.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left lower extremity venous stasis with stasis dermatitis were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor are they proximately due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions, including spondylolisthesis, L4-S1; scalp folliculitis; and left shoulder tendonitis, do not warrant an increased evaluation. The current evaluations for these conditions are either non-compensable or unknown.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, abnormal weight loss, sleep disturbances, frequent diarrhea, and memory problems as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.