Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection, finding no current diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy or other claimed conditions. The rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hearing loss, service connection for hypothyroidism, and reopening of the claim for seborrheic dermatitis were all denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for residual scar of a left thumb laceration and tinea unguium of the bilateral toenails, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, anemia, mixed personality disorder (claimed as PTSD), and refractive error of eyes have all been denied. The evidence does not show any current disability that would warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation for hypertension from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper. The veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, left ankle disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted, as the medical evidence showed a diagnosis of PTSD related to verified in-service stressors. The claim for service connection for psoriasis remains pending and will be addressed after additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. As the effects of an employability impairment have been overcome, he does not have an employment handicap.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected eczematoid dermatitis warranted a disability rating of 30 percent, which is less than the maximum available benefit awardable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure, was denied because there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Veteran's chronic dermatitis is currently rated at 60 percent, effective March 2005. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating.

The Veteran's dermatophytosis/tinea pedis affects 5 percent of his body and has not resulted in scarring or required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is granted at a 10 percent disability level.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for renal dysfunction, gastritis as separate from service-connected GERD, depression with insomnia, and a skin disorder other than service-connected dermatitis are all denied. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for service-connected disabilities is 80 percent from June 20, 2000 to June 10, 2004, and 90 percent from June 11, 2004. The criteria for assignment of an increased combined evaluation are not met.

The Veteran's skin disorder, claimed as chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for further examination and opinion. The issue of service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne and chronic dizziness claimed as vertigo was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicides or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has granted a 30 percent schedular rating for the service-connected skin disorder of the head, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet (dermatitis or eczema), finding that it meets the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7806.

The Veteran's skin rash was not shown to have been present during service or within the presumptive period for Agent Orange exposure. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between his current skin condition and service, including presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis, duodenal ulcers, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are appropriately rated at their current levels, and there is no evidence of a lymph node disability secondary to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis is dismissed as no justiciable case or controversy remains.,The claim for service connection for sinusitis has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a current disability related to service. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have chronic maxillary sinusitis and therefore cannot be granted service connection.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no showing of a chronic condition during service or within the initial post-service year.