Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's immune complex disease, including chloracne, acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda, or any other immune complex disease are at least as likely as not directly related to his exposure to Agent Orange in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have dermatitis or an ulcer of the left leg that is caused or aggravated by his service-connected fracture of the left third toe.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, finding that his contact dermatitis preexisted active duty and did not permanently worsen as a result of service. The Board also found no evidence of any other chronic skin disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis, and is granting the claim on a grant of direct service connection. The claims for loss of sense of smell and sinusitis are remanded as further medical examination and development are needed.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain all of the veteran's service treatment records from May 1971 to April 1975 and provide him with an examination by a dermatologist to determine if his chloracne is related to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's pruritus is a symptom of his service-connected eczema and did not meet the criteria for separate service connection. The Board also denied the claim for an increased rating for eczema, as it did not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection and a TDIU, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to his service-connected disabilities or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's death is unclear, and the cause of her death needs to be verified. The appellant claims she was the executrix of the veteran's estate for burial purposes, but no proof of appointment as such has been provided. There is a discrepancy regarding who paid for the final burial expenses.

The veteran's skin disorders, including dyshidrosis and tinea pedis, are considered service-connected. However, contact dermatitis is not found to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea/insomnia, chloracne as secondary to herbicide exposure, a cervical spine disability, and peripheral neuropathy. The veteran's complaints of these conditions were not found to be related to his time in service.

The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with scars had its onset in service and is considered a direct result of his military service. Toxic encephalopathy was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the condition was incurred during active duty and is related to his military service. The veteran's bilateral gynecomastia status post breast reduction claim did not result in a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae is appropriate, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of his vocational rehabilitation training and providing proper VCAA notice regarding the requirements for a higher disability rating for BPH.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea manus of the left hand is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence linking any other skin disability, other than of the left hand, to his service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The claim for chloracne, presumed due to herbicide exposure, was granted. However, the effective date earlier than May 8, 2001 for the award of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with associated peripheral neuropathy of both feet as a result of herbicide exposure was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder claimed as due to herbicide exposure and secondary to diabetes mellitus. The veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are not presumed related to Agent Orange exposure, nor were they incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent from February 18, 2005 to November 1, 2006. The claims for tinea pedis and diverticulosis have been granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for dermatitis, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The decision also addressed his increased rating claims for left knee degenerative joint disease and dislocation disability but did not assign a specific evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, tinea pedis of the bilateral feet, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus.