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

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for stasis dermatitis of the lower extremities secondary to service-connected second-degree burns is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and consideration of alternative criteria.

The veteran is seeking service connection for chloracne, which he claims was caused by exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The VA has not yet reviewed all of the relevant medical records and opinions regarding this claim.

The Board found that the veteran's postoperative lipoma incision scar of the posterior skull warrants a 10 percent evaluation, and his eczema is rated as noncompensable. The claims for higher evaluations are denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (residuals of right below knee amputation from verrucous carcinoma associated with generalized tinea circinata and generalized tinea circinata) are being remanded for further examination to determine their impact on his employability.

The veteran's appeal involves issues related to his service-connected bilateral tinea pedis, including a request for an increased rating and earlier effective date. Additionally, the propriety of severing service connection for tinea versicolor is under review.

The veteran's claim of service connection for chronic tinea corporis claimed as the result of Agent Orange exposure has been reopened. His initial evaluation for tinnitus remains denied, and his increased evaluation for lumbosacral spine disc syndrome with degenerative joint disease is also denied.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's dyshidrotic eczema and assigned a 30 percent disability rating, which is higher than the initial 10 percent rating. The criteria used to determine this rating were based on the old schedule for rating skin disabilities.

The VA has determined that the veteran's chloracne does not warrant a higher initial disability rating beyond the currently assigned 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a failure to provide adequate notice under the VCAA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis of the midfoot, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for mixed hearing loss of the right ear with sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disorder and right elbow disorder are not related to military service, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action, including scheduling VA examinations and adjudicating increased rating claims and secondary service connection claims. The TDIU claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that his undiagnosed illness, chronic eczema, and low back pain did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected scalp disorder was granted, with the highest possible rating of 50 percent effective January 21, 2006. The decision also referred other issues to the RO for consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed skin condition is unrelated to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO, and to return the case for further appellate consideration.

The veteran's claims for throat cancer, a skin disorder related to Agent Orange exposure, and hepatitis C were all denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of throat cancer or any other service-connected skin disorders. Hepatitis C was granted as a presumptive condition due to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disability (eczema, folliculitis, dermatitis), muscle disorder, neurological disability, and cardiovascular disability were denied. The claim for skin disability was granted.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disease, to include chloracne due to herbicide exposure, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.