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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for chloracne and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation for pseudofolliculitis barbae with facial scarring, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease. The earliest effective date that can be assigned is November 19, 2002.

The Veteran does not have a facial rash or skin rash that is related to his service, and there are no objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability.,The Veteran has reported symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, headaches, and shoulder joint pain since service. However, there is no competent medical evidence linking these symptoms to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis and generalized myofascial syndrome, as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, were denied. The claim for an increased rating for multilevel discogenic disease and spondylosis was granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent since November 9, 2007. The Board has determined that he should be rated at 30 percent beginning February 19, 2004. His left knee disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's tinea pedis is manifested by cracking, peeling and oozing in a nonexposed area, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected skin disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and deep peroneal nerve radiculopathy, or a separate rating of 10 percent for left shoulder strain.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinea pedis, lower back condition, and PTSD. The claims for service connection for a shoulder condition were referred to the RO.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was rated at 30 percent from April 11, 2002 to April 11, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. The decision is based on his significant nonservice-connected disabilities, including blindness.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 30 percent for dermatitis with cutaneous sarcoid of the chest, back, axillary region and medial portion of the thighs was denied. The issue regarding service connection for random calcium cells was not on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne and PTSD, finding no evidence linking the conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left great toe injury and headaches, but granted service connection for GERD. The claims for uterine fibroids, joint pain, stomach pain, and atopic dermatitis were not decided.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a compensable evaluation for tinea versicolor, finding no evidence linking the conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back strain is not related to his service, and there is no new evidence to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of frozen feet.,There is no new and material evidence to support reopening the claim of service connection for residuals of frozen feet.,There is no new and material evidence to support reopening the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's tinea pedis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling, and chloracne was denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board made a decision.

The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations for his claimed conditions, as the evidence of record does not provide a clear rationale for the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board reopened the claim for service connection for a skin disorder claimed as skin rash, but denied the underlying claim on its merits.