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

The Board denied the veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for a lung disorder and a heart condition; denied claims for service connection for flat feet, a left ankle disability, and dermatitis; and denied claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD.

The appeal is being remanded to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical examination.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a thorough medical examination and review of the claims file.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened, but a rating in excess of 10 percent for atopic eczema and active candidiasis was not granted.

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, and alcoholism was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board remands the claims for further development and readjudication.

The veteran's initial ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and status post epigastric hernia scar were denied as the evidence did not support a compensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, bilateral tinea pedis, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation likely secondary to folliculitis, and hypertension were denied. The veteran was not granted any of the benefits sought.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased evaluation for cystic acne.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, memory loss, keratosis pilaris (KP), and residuals of a left foot injury were denied. However, the claim for PTSD was granted based on verified in-service stressors.

The veteran's eczematoid dermatitis did not warrant a compensable rating from February 25, 2004, to December 15, 2005, and the veteran was assigned a 10 percent rating for his chronic eczematoid dermatitis since December 16, 2005.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to the lack of evidence supporting a current disability or sufficient in-service incurrence.

The Board finds that the evidence of record demonstrates that the veteran's cystic acne with residual scarring is etiologically related to cystic acne he suffered during his active service.

The Board remands the claim for a VA dermatological examination to determine if the veteran's skin disorders, including chloracne, are related to his service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The veteran's folliculitis decalvans pre-existed active service and was not aggravated by service.

The veteran's tinea versicolor involves less than 20 percent of his entire body and does not require systemic therapy, which is insufficient to warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for atopic dermatitis and 20 percent for the right thumb disability, but found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for old stress fracture of the left tibia.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of service connection for chronic eczematous dermatitis was denied as there was no formal or informal claim prior to June 12, 2001.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the percentage of exposed areas affected by dermatitis.

The Board found that dermatitis of the feet was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.