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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or skin condition for which service connection can be granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for acne and lumbar strain. The claim for a neck disability is being remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea versicolor/tinea pedis and bilateral pes planus were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disorders and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his service, including his exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, finding that it meets the criteria for such a rating based on two characteristics of disfigurement. The claim for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded for further development.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims of service connection for chloracne and to reopen the claim of service connection for asthma. The issues are dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and chloracne, finding no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides is not warranted.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that chloracne was not incurred or aggravated by service and is unrelated to military service, including presumed herbicide exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. Peripheral neuropathy of the right leg and left leg are not shown to be related to military service, including presumed herbicide exposure. Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Sjogren's syndrome were not incurred or aggravated by service and are unrelated to military service. Arthritis of the legs and feet is not shown to be otherwise related to service or a service-connected disorder. Hypertension was not incurred in service but is aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ear infection or chloracne related to service. The claim of service connection for chloracne was withdrawn by the veteran, and the final denial of service connection for a right shoulder disability remains unchanged.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 8, 2001 for the grant of service connection for onychomycosis, tinea pedis, and tylomas is denied as his appeal was not timely filed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient to render him unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for seborrheic dermatitis and major depression, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus to active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, essential hypertension, and impaired fasting glucose were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active military service.

The Board has assigned an effective date of October 25, 1995 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's original claim was filed in 1995 and a rating decision in April 1996 denied his claim due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressor actually occurred. However, new and material evidence consisting of service personnel records received in June 2002 played a role in granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and addressing the veteran's service connection claim for random calcium cells. The evaluation of the veteran's eczema remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and seborrheic dermatitis of the facial area due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure. The effective date for service connection was not granted as it occurred after one year from discharge.

The Board has denied the veteran's service connection claims for skin disability (claimed as skin cancer) and disability of the feet (claimed as jungle rot), finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service, including any herbicide exposure.

The VA determined that the veteran's tinea pedis, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for dermatitis, finding no credible evidence of in-service stressors or combat involvement. The veteran's current skin condition was rated as 10 percent disabling under both old and new VA regulations.