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

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome with chronic strain, but denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected acne with scarring. The claims for service connection for sleep disorder and spinal degenerative joint disease are being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and psoriasis, as well as a higher rating for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor, bronchospasm, and PTSD were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The veteran's skin disability, currently diagnosed as atopic dermatitis, was granted service connection due to its onset during active service.

The veteran's migraine headaches are not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent, and the tinea corporis is rated at 30 percent from August 31, 1999.,The veteran's service-connected tinea corporis has been rated appropriately as 30 percent disabling since August 31, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for dermatitis and service connection for bilateral hand injuries, to include as residuals of cold injury.

The Veteran's initial rating for herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1 was increased to 40 percent from September 9, 2008, but the ratings for both conditions remained unchanged.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further development of evidence regarding the veteran's skin disability, as the previous VA and private examination reports were found to be inconsistent.

The Veteran's first formal application for compensation was received in June 2002, within one year of the RO's sending of a VA Form 21-526 in October 2001, that was sent in response to the Veteran's informal claim that was received on March 28, 2001. The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including dermatitis, as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange and no medical evidence linking the condition to his active duty service.

The veteran's cervical spine and dermatitis disabilities do not warrant ratings in excess of the current levels, but his lumbar spine disability warrants a 20 percent rating effective June 21, 2007.

The veteran's skin disorder is not related to service, nor may it be presumed to be so related.

The Board found that the veteran's cirrhosis of the liver, tinea versicolor (claimed as skin rashes), stomach condition, and depression were not related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypotension (claimed as vertigo), a low back disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The claim for psoriasis was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of a relationship between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis as there is no evidence of the condition during service or for many years after, and no competent evidence linking it to military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including chloracne, was reopened and granted based on new and material evidence showing the condition had its onset during active service.

The appeal was dismissed as the issue of service connection for contact dermatitis has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right shoulder dislocation, an ear canal infection, and a right ankle fracture. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for fractured right iliac crest and femur and right heel plantar spur were also denied.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain and tinea versicolor do not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any time since August 7, 2003.