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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, finding no evidence of a current disability and no indication that it is related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of eczema, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and hyperkeratosis affecting various body parts is being remanded due to the need to obtain missing service medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation under any applicable rating code.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of dermatitis of the neck and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for a disability evaluation greater than 10 percent for his service connected skin condition and whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim of service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to clarify the relationship between any current skin disorders and service or service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected skin disorder was initially evaluated at 30 percent effective June 23, 2008. The Board found that the condition affected more than 40% of his body area and granted a higher evaluation.

The veteran's skin conditions, including moles, pityriasis rosea, tinea versicolor, and psoriasis, were not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for chronic dermatitis and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The veteran will be provided with a VA examination in both cases.

The veteran's chronic skin disability of the feet, diagnosed as tinea pedis and onychomycosis, was manifested during his active duty service. The Board found that this condition is related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed spongiotic dermatitis, manifested by pruritic pretibial skin eruptions, first manifested during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and chloracne or chronic acneform eruption, other than multiple follicular cysts in both ears, are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service. The claim for service connection for sores on arms was previously denied but new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and no causal relationship to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The veteran's service-connected folliculitis/chloracne, secondary to Agent Orange exposure, is currently rated at 10 percent since August 30, 2002. The condition has been manifested by superficial scarring and involving isolated diffusely spread lesions on the face, torso, and extremities that affects less than 40% of the face and neck.

The veteran's chronic acne vulgaris, which affects less than forty percent of the face and neck but results in disfigurement due to scars, is rated at 10% since October 23, 2003.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues on appeal, including increased ratings for various conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's skin disorder was not shown to be related to his active military service or herbicide exposure, and thus denied.