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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of any current skin disorders and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The veteran's service records show notations of skin rashes and pseudofolliculus barbae, but no clinical records regarding pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain treatment records from various healthcare providers for the veteran's conditions, including low back strain and dermatitis. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's eczematous lesions are related to her service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for psoriasis and eczema was denied, as the current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for service connection for a back disability was also denied because there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to active service.

The Board denied both the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for dyshidrotic eczema of the hands and ankles, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The veteran's x-ray residuals are rated at 80 percent, and he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for partial loss of his right ear. The left shoulder condition is rated at 30 percent.,The veteran's left shoulder condition does not warrant an increased rating as there is no evidence of ankylosis, impairment of the humerus, marked interference with employment, or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disease with secondary scarring, to include chloracne, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been incurred therein as a result of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease and a temporary total evaluation following prostate surgery is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and disability due to Agent Orange exposure as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence did not support a finding that they were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of migraine headaches and tinea pedis were remanded. The Board denied service connection for a disorder of the nervous system, chronic dermatophytosis (other than tinea pedis), neurosis, degenerative arthritis, DDD, and forearm disorder as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for eczematous dermatitis effective October 18, 2005. The veteran's claim was not earlier than this date as it is factually ascertainable that her condition did not warrant an increase in rating prior to then.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a back disorder, and a skin disorder other than tinea cruris. The claim for an increased evaluation for tinea cruris was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's cystic conglobata acne and hidradenitis suppurativa have been rated at the maximum 60 percent evaluation since October 19, 2005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for dyshidrotic eczema of the feet, finding no competent evidence to support a medical nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and alopecia of the scalp, finding that the disability did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and sinusitis with allergic rhinitis were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a disease in service that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis, finding no evidence of a nexus between current intermittent psoriasis and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for chloracne. Additional development is necessary regarding the underlying service connection claim for PTSD.

The veteran meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes due to his service-connected PTSD, chloracne due to herbicide exposure, and bilateral pes planus. The Social Security Administration has also found him permanently disabled.