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

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, and tinea versicolor are not service-connected or related to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne and PTSD, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or herbicide exposure. Service connection for depression was also denied as it is secondary to the veteran's diagnosed PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for the period from August 28, 2003 to June 18, 2004. For GERD and skin disability of the left foot, VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of the maximum rating authorized.,Evidence submitted since the April 2002 denial did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for Hepatitis C and Hypertension, but did raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for PTSD.,The veteran's claim for service connection for Arthritis of the right knee was denied as evidence submitted since the April 2002 denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Evidence submitted since the December 2002 Board decision related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and tinea pedis, and finds in favor of granting these claims. A VA dermatology examination is required to determine the nature, onset date, and etiology of any current skin disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinea pedis, impotence, glaucoma, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. The decision also found that severance of service connection for hypertension was not proper.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The low back disability was rated at 20 percent, the tinea pedis at 10 percent, and no other conditions received a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's currently manifested skin disorders (eczema and dermatitis) did not have their onset during service or are related to his active service, including presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents. As a result, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, chloracne, and colon cancer are denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and a skin disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current skin disability of the feet, claimed as tinea cruris and hyperkeratosis, is not related to service or a service-connected condition. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for anxiety disorder with depressive features and psychophysiological skin reaction, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The VA found that the veteran does not have occupational and social impairment to the extent required for a higher disability rating.

The Board has denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including contact dermatitis, and including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne, secondary to inservice exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The veteran's other skin conditions are not shown during service or for over twenty years thereafter and are not linked to his military service. Service connection is denied for tinnitus and the low back disorder and hearing loss issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae with keloids, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on disfigurement or tissue loss.

The veteran's skin disorder was evaluated as 10 percent prior to August 30, 2002 and denied for an evaluation in excess of that. From August 30, 2002, the claim was also denied for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for onychomycosis of the hands and feet as secondary to service-connected tinea versicolor. The veteran's tinea versicolor is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable, but his atopic dermatitis and left great toe disability are each rated as 30 percent disabling.

The veteran's desmoid tumor of the right pelvis is currently rated at 10 percent, and her TDIU claim was denied as her combined disability rating does not meet the schedular requirement for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board denied a higher disability rating for tinea pedis of the right foot and dismissed the claim to reopen service connection for low back disorder.