Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the claims for carotid body tumor, itchy bumps on scalp and fatty oily skin bump/acne under the eye, bowel constipation, extreme coughing until nauseous, sleep apnea, problems with teeth, numbness in arms and shoulders while sleeping, and enlarged prostate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for facial burns, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sinusitis, carpal tunnel syndrome (cervical radiculopathy), skin pruritus, rheumatoid arthritis with bone spurs of the right shoulder, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disorder was incurred during her military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders, including congenital pes cavus and acquired hallux valgus deformities with accompanying metatarsalgia, very mild degenerative changes in the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, and mild degenerative joint disease of the midfoot, were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's skin disability was previously rated at 10 percent and granted an increased rating to 30 percent, effective March 27, 2007.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and right thigh cellulitis, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board also found that any inservice cellulitis resolved without residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne and a skin condition other than chloracne was denied due to the lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no chronicity of symptomatology during service and insufficient medical evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for paranoid type schizophrenia, previously characterized as dysthymic disorder, was granted. The case also addressed reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions and the assignment of a TDIU.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including actinic keratosis and atypical moles, were not shown to be related to his active service or exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema has been rated at 10 percent since July 23, 2009. The RO found that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on its current manifestations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The claims for service connection and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted. His bilateral hearing loss was found to be related to his military service, rheumatoid arthritis and steroid acne are considered as resulting from or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, and the low back disability is rated higher than initially assigned.

The Veteran's HIV with recurrent folliculitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current manifestations do not warrant a higher rating. Service connection for ulcerative proctitis with intestinal spirochetes was denied due to lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash was reopened, and he is now entitled to a compensable evaluation for his chronic fatigue syndrome prior to January 13, 2004.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his skin disability, specifically tinea cruris, was not found to be causally related to active military service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae but denied a higher evaluation and an earlier effective date. The appellant is entitled to a compensable rating, but not an earlier effective date.

The Veteran is granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and for tinea pedis, which he contends was caused by herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his right knee, epididymitis, and tinea conditions. The RO/AMC will also consider whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence that could reopen his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the claimed conditions are not related to his military service.