Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected disability for presbyopia and denied his claim. The issue of an increased rating for tinea pedis and dyshidrotic eczema is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left thumb fracture residuals. The Veteran's residuals of a left thumb fracture do not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation. The Veteran's tinea cruris does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and his tinea pedis with intradermal reaction of the hands does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of atopic dermatitis, finding that the earliest allowable effective date is February 7, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Bell's palsy or mononucleosis, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a diagnosis of such condition within one year after presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and thus could not be granted on a presumptive basis. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected esophageal spasms or GERD is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for eczematous dermatitis, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. The evidence received since the January 1986 decisional letter does not relate to a new or material fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical treatment records, particularly those from September 2002 to September 2004.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, folliculitis with excoriations, is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current skin conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is unable to perform his occupation, and his employment handicap does not render him unsuitable for employment in a suitable field. Therefore, additional vocational rehabilitation services are denied.

The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for any complaints or findings of a skin disorder, to include dermatitis and eczema. The first evidence of record of a diagnosis is over 35 years after his separation from the military. There is no competent opinion linking the current skin disorder to his period of service, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ulcerative colitis and tinea corporis, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during service or post-service continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's stasis dermatitis of both legs has not affected more than 20 percent of his exposed areas or required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids, thus preventing him from receiving a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran experienced an in-service stressor or currently has PTSD related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by sterility, cellulitis of the left arm, residuals of enterocolitis, or dermatitis of the left hand. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection for tinea cruris and PTSD are still under review.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for seborrheic dermatitis was denied. The August 1998 denial of service connection for dizziness, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is final. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for dizziness.