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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected interdigital tinea pedis, finding that it did not meet the criteria for either a compensable or increased rating prior to and after August 30, 2002.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic conjunctivitis, hearing loss of the left ear, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The case is being remanded to determine if a VA examination is needed to assess the current status of the veteran's tinea pedis.

The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 30 percent, and his residuals of a lower back injury with lumbar disc disease are separately evaluated as 20 percent for mild partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash, finding that perivascular dermatitis is not a recognized disease for which VA allows presumptive service connection based on presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine injury, tinea versicolor, and right and left lower extremity radiculitis, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, left forearm scar, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and left shoulder strain are not met. The claim for an increased rating for the left foot disability is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current skin rash disability is related to his active duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's initial ratings for his left knee and bronchial asthma were granted, but he is still seeking higher ratings. The left knee was rated at 10 percent prior to September 15, 2005, and as of November 1, 2005. His pseudofolliculitis with keratosis pillaris remains at 10 percent, while his bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for the cause of death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding no evidence of a relationship between any present disabilities and his military service. The conditions were not related to herbicide exposure as he did not serve in Vietnam.

The Board found that the veteran's skin and scalp disorder did not occur during his active duty service or a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA). The evidence does not support a finding that the condition was incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure and granted service connection based on presumptive exposure.

The veteran's varicose veins of the right leg were incurred in service and are granted service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of tinea pedis, and thus the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinea pedis is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and new evidence is needed for a determination on the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for tinea pedis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for his skin disorders due to a failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations or service connection under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating for pes planus with hallux valgus. The veteran's dermatophytosis was rated at the maximum allowable under the old criteria, which is 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin condition, which is diagnosed as folliculitis and prurigo nodularis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not show a connection between the current skin condition and active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased rating for hearing loss and service connection for a scar on the left cheek, as well as chloracne, have been denied. The denial is based on lack of evidence linking the conditions to active military service or Agent Orange exposure.