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

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement for service connection for groin and abdominal folliculitis, thus denying the claim.

The veteran seeks service connection for chloracne, which he believes is related to exposure to herbicides during service. The VA has determined that the current record does not address the etiology of the claimed disability or contain a competent medical opinion on when the condition could first be diagnosed.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tinea versicolor was granted, while his claims for service connection for stomach pains and memory loss due to undiagnosed illnesses were denied.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis is rated at 10 percent. Both ratings are granted.

The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is not warranted due to lack of evidence linking his fatal conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities rated higher than 20 percent and do not materially or substantially contribute to an overall impairment in gaining or retaining employment commensurate with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, she does not meet the criteria for eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as a compensable evaluation for tinea pedis (bilateral feet). The Board found that the veteran did not have these conditions during his periods of active duty or due to exposure to chemicals in the Persian Gulf. His preexisting condition was not aggravated by his last period of service.

The veteran's service-connected eczematous dermatosis of the wrists and hands was granted a rating of 30 percent, effective from February 2, 2001, to March 6, 2001, and from September 11, 2002, to April 4, 2003.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for disability claimed as chloracne, due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of current chloracne and there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's past acne to chloracne.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection of hypertension, fatigue, shortness of breath, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, tinea pedis and tinea capitis, and headaches are also granted.

The Board has established service connection for bilateral pes planus, tinea pedis, and eczematous dermatitis. Service connection was not granted for a gastrointestinal disability or sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is not related to his active service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hidradenitis suppurativa, claiming it as chronic folliculitis with incision and drainage of abscesses. The evidence did not support a finding that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected skin condition and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal regarding his claim for service connection for urticarial dermatitis, and therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

The veteran's chloracne is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's initial claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that prior to September 9, 2000, the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for folliculitis were not met. From September 9, 2000 to September 26, 2000, a 50 percent rating was warranted for folliculitis. After September 26, 2000, the veteran's condition did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent. For his fracture of proximal interphalangeal joint, left index finger, a 10 percent rating is warranted.

The veteran's bilateral tinea pedis was initially evaluated as noncompensable and later granted a compensable evaluation of 10 percent effective March 16, 2004. The condition has since been rated at the same level until November 22, 2004.

The veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7806-7800.,The veteran's varicose veins of the right lower extremity are currently rated as 10 percent disabling and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7120.