Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating were denied, with the exception of grants of 10% and 20% ratings for tinea versicolor and chronic lumbosacral strain, respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tinea corporis, as there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors or a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The veteran's skin disability was rated at 30 percent beginning July 23, 2002, due to constant itching, pigment changes, and macular lesions about the groin, hands, and feet.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right knee sprain and a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left knee and skin conditions were denied, as well as his claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, gout of the right toe, low back disorder, and sleep disorder.

The Board denied service connection for angiolipomas, chloracne, and soft tissue sarcoma as the evidence did not demonstrate a current disability of these conditions or a relationship to active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected diplopia was denied due to his failure, without good cause, to report for a VA examination which was necessary for an informed adjudication of the claim.

The case is remanded for additional development of the evidence, including requests for service treatment records from the Veteran's Reserve and National Guard units.

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.