Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for chronic dermatitis and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The veteran will be provided with a VA examination in both cases.

The veteran's chronic skin disability of the feet, diagnosed as tinea pedis and onychomycosis, was manifested during his active duty service. The Board found that this condition is related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed spongiotic dermatitis, manifested by pruritic pretibial skin eruptions, first manifested during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and chloracne or chronic acneform eruption, other than multiple follicular cysts in both ears, are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service. The claim for service connection for sores on arms was previously denied but new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and no causal relationship to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The veteran's service-connected folliculitis/chloracne, secondary to Agent Orange exposure, is currently rated at 10 percent since August 30, 2002. The condition has been manifested by superficial scarring and involving isolated diffusely spread lesions on the face, torso, and extremities that affects less than 40% of the face and neck.

The veteran's chronic acne vulgaris, which affects less than forty percent of the face and neck but results in disfigurement due to scars, is rated at 10% since October 23, 2003.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues on appeal, including increased ratings for various conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's skin disorder was not shown to be related to his active military service or herbicide exposure, and thus denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating for tinea pedis, effective December 6, 2005. Prior to this date, his condition did not warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his right hand disability.,The veteran's PTSD claim remains pending with an initial rating in excess of 30 percent still under consideration.,The veteran's chloracne claim, reopened on new evidence, is also pending.

The Board found that the veteran's pharyngeal cancer and psoriasis were not caused or aggravated by any incident of active military service, and at the time of his death, he had no service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected tinea corporis with onychomycosis, finding that his symptoms now affect a large percentage of his body when they are most severe.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for hearing loss and psoriasis as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a skin disorder, claimed as chloracne, is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The Board finds that entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder in general is reasonably inferred from the record.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for chloracne and diabetes mellitus as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including new examinations and acquisition of clinical data. The veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability due to Agent Orange exposure and an earlier effective date for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation or entitlement to TDIU.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea pedis of both feet is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.