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

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability covers 25 percent of his total body area and 35 percent of his exposed body area, requiring the use of topical medication and antihistamines. The preponderance of evidence shows that this does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a dermatological examination during an active stage of any skin problems and opinions on their etiology.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for eczematous dermatitis. The RO has remanded this issue to allow further development.

The Veteran's tinea pedis, claimed as foot fungus, is granted service connection due to continuity of symptoms since discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic dermatitis and tinea of the feet are currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under current criteria. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for chloracne was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent rating since July 11, 2002.,Effective March 20, 2009, the VA assigned a higher 30 percent rating based on new evidence showing his scars met criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the face, scalp, and head area is attributable to service. The Board finds that pes planus, bronchitis, and arthritis of both knees are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a personal hearing before the Board at the local office in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability and granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for presumptive service connection for chloracne due to herbicide exposure was denied in June 1994. The RO did not receive new and material evidence since that time, so the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's acne, nodulocystic condition with moderate scarring involving the lower aspect of his face is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and acneform disease similar to chloracne as due to exposure to herbicides were denied. The Board found that the conditions did not manifest within one year of presumed Agent Orange exposure, and there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The skin disorder claim for folliculitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. Service connection for the lung disorder (asbestosis and COPD) secondary to asbestosis is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's skin disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found no diagnosed skin disorder related to herbicide exposure and no continuity of symptomatology following his period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's claim for continuation of vocational rehabilitation training was denied as she had already been rehabilitated and employed in an occupation related to her program.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), finding no evidence of a nexus to service or presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's skin conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis, tinea cruris, and pruritus. The claims are also being remanded for consideration of whether there is new and material evidence to reopen service connection claims.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.