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

The Board has determined that the reduction in evaluation from 30 percent to zero percent disabling for kidney stones was improper. The veteran's GERD, headaches, Raynaud's syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and dermatophytosis of the hands and subungual tinea of the right ring finger were not granted higher initial evaluations.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for dermatitis and splaying metatarsal arches with left hallux valgus, status post left osteotomy, and status post right foot bunion surgery are being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and eczema/eeczematoid dermatitis do not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have pseudofolliculitis barbae related to service, but right shoulder tendonitis had its onset in service and is granted as a result.

The veteran's skin cancer and other unspecified dermatological conditions were not shown to be related to his active service, including Agent Orange exposure. His claims for hearing loss, COPD, heart disease, and tinnitus are denied as well.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and an earlier effective date for his service-connected eczema and residuals of a compression fracture at T7-8, finding that the disability picture did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than the current 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral high frequency hearing loss, acne scars, tinnitus, and a shell fragment wound of the left calf, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's increased evaluation for eczematoid dermatitis from 30 percent has been granted.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for further action, including obtaining additional medical records and seeking a definitive opinion from the veteran's primary care physician regarding his skin disorders possibly being related to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for ovarian cysts and breast cancer, as well as increased evaluations for acne vulgaris and tinea pedis with onychomycosis, tinea capitis, and tinea cruris have been granted. The veteran is also entitled to TDIU.

The veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and costochondritis have been granted. Other claims remain pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis with seborrheic dermatitis and various forms of psoriatic arthritis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 30 percent rating prior to July 7, 2003. From July 7, 2003, to September 1, 2003, he received a 50 percent rating for severe limitation of motion and compression fracture of L5. After that period, the disability was rated at 60 percent due to pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including chloracne and a skin rash, claimed as a residual of Agent Orange exposure in service. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right eye condition (claimed as homonymous hemianopsia), tension headaches, dizziness, and residuals of a head injury. The appeals were based on in-service accidents but no current disabilities are linked to those incidents.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied, but the claim for chloracne as secondary to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) was granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's cystic acne and post-basil cell carcinoma removal of the face and neck, along with a separate 10 percent rating for cystic scarring affecting other areas. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection. The PTSD evaluation remains unchanged as there was no evidence of worsening since the last rating decision.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for the veteran's service-connected tinea cruris, effective from November 2002. The claim of reopening the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma is also granted.

The veteran's dermatitis and chloracne were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.