Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected status-post stress fracture of the left third metatarsal head was not compensable prior to May 3, 2007, and a 20 percent rating is assigned thereafter. The veteran's right foot scarring and left foot scarring are rated noncompensable, but he has been granted a 10 percent rating for the left foot scarring effective October 28, 2003, and a 30 percent rating for chronic dermatitis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with the exception of a grant of service connection for GERD and arthritis in both knees.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of cold injuries to other than the ears and face, multiple skin disorders (chronic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities bilaterally were granted.

The veteran's hepatitis C was service-connected, but chloracne was not.

The Board denied the attorney's request for additional fees based on a decision of April 22, 2004 and May 20, 2004, as the criteria were not met.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bone loss due to dental trauma, a speech impediment, and bilateral cholesteatomas were denied. The veteran was also denied an increased evaluation for his migraine headaches but granted a compensable initial evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for proper VCAA notice and development.

The appeal is remanded for further examination to determine the extent and severity of the veteran's service-connected acne, including any scarring associated with it.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body or of exposed areas affected by the condition.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence and a more thorough examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis was remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and post-service treatment records from Dr. Dan Gurin or Geren.

The appeal is remanded for the acquisition of additional evidence and further development of the claims.

The veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder has been rated at 40 percent for the period from May 2, 2001, and higher evaluations have not been warranted.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, residuals of a right eye injury, and a sleep disorder. The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with stenosis, radiculopathy of each leg, PTSD, loss of the left great toenail, onychomycosis and tinea pedis, and COPD were not rated higher than their current levels.

The veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for tinea cruris was remanded to provide additional VCAA notice.

The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus, and the evidence is insufficient to establish that his other claimed conditions are related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The claim for service connection for cervical spine disability was reopened, but not granted. The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent and no higher.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne as it was not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could it be presumed due to herbicide exposure.